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13/10/2004
Women and ethnic minorities urged to join judiciary
A raft of proposals have been unveiled today designed to make the judiciary more inclusive and attract more women and ethnic minorities.
Today's consultation paper, 'Increasing Diversity in the Judiciary', also sets out proposals to urge more lawyers with disabilities to join judiciary.
Currently, only 15.8% of court judges are women, and just 3.4% come from minority ethnic groups.
The paper suggests more flexible sitting arrangements, changing age limits and introducing formal career breaks.
The plans point out that judges would continue to be appointed on merit, but the pool from which applicants are drawn would be widened.
Constitutional Affairs Secretary Lord Falconer said: "I regard it as one of the priorities of my new department that the diversity of the nation should increasingly be reflected in the diversity of its judges.
"A more diverse judiciary is essential if the public's confidence in its judges is to be maintained and strengthened."
The proposals aim to find out why people from diverse backgrounds and with disabilities are not applying for judicial appointment in the numbers expected.
(gmcg/mb)
Today's consultation paper, 'Increasing Diversity in the Judiciary', also sets out proposals to urge more lawyers with disabilities to join judiciary.
Currently, only 15.8% of court judges are women, and just 3.4% come from minority ethnic groups.
The paper suggests more flexible sitting arrangements, changing age limits and introducing formal career breaks.
The plans point out that judges would continue to be appointed on merit, but the pool from which applicants are drawn would be widened.
Constitutional Affairs Secretary Lord Falconer said: "I regard it as one of the priorities of my new department that the diversity of the nation should increasingly be reflected in the diversity of its judges.
"A more diverse judiciary is essential if the public's confidence in its judges is to be maintained and strengthened."
The proposals aim to find out why people from diverse backgrounds and with disabilities are not applying for judicial appointment in the numbers expected.
(gmcg/mb)
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