By Samantha Jones-
Research published by the Law Society states that it would take at least 120 years before the judiciary in the Uk is fully representative of society if progress continues at the current pac.
Black judges currently make up just 1.09% of the judiciary, compared with 1.02% in 2014. The Society says it would take until 2149 for the proportion of the judiciary who are black to match current estimates for the general population (3.5%).
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Asian judges currently make up 4.79% of the judiciary. While this is up from 2.53% in 2014, if this rate continues, it would be 2033 before the percentage of Asian judges matches the general population (8%).
Women make up around a third of judges. Based on current trends, it will be another decade before half of the judiciary are women.
Society president Lubna Shuja said: ‘As we near the end of Black History Month, which this year focuses on “action, not words”, it is unacceptable that Law Society research has found it could take over 120 years for women, Black and Asian people to represent the society they serve on the bench.
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‘We need a judiciary that truly reflects our diverse society. We must take action and make real, lasting change so our judges can represent the people who come before them in court. We urge the government to address the structural barriers that are holding back talented candidates.’
A recent report on racial bias and the bench called for the judicial appointments process to be overhauled, after concluding that judges were presiding over an ‘institutionally racist’ justice system.
Chancery Lane wants statutory consultation, a controversial selection tool used to appoint judges, to be abolished. The Society says it is a process through which existing senior judges who are not members of official selection bodies are sounded out about potential applicants. However, candidates from more diverse backgrounds are less likely to be known to senior judges and therefore less likely to receive positive feedback.
Following a review, the Judicial Appointments Commission said statutory consultation would be dropped for certain exercises.
Shuja said: ‘We know that progress does not happen overnight. However, we cannot wait over 120 years for women, Asian and black judges to be fully representative on our court benches. We owe it to the public – who often use the judicial system at times of great stress – to at least have judges who represent and can relate to them.’
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