By Gavin Mackintosh-
The Ministry of Justice(MOJ) has impressively pledged £152,000 over a three year period to fund the start up costs of an education programme aimed at boosting greater diversity within the judiciary.
The MOJ has merged forces with the judiciary, the Law Society, Bar Council and Chartered Institute of Legal Executives to create the Pre-Application Judicial Education (PJE) programme. The wide collaboration is a positive move towards a progressive system aimed at raising the standards of the judiciary and improving the justice system. It is the first joint initiative of the Judicial Diversity Forum,
The new system launched today also includes an online learning launched today which is available to all participants on an unlimited basis.
Applicants will receive training on the development of the required skills such as judge craft, ethics and resilience, including judge-led discussion groups, and participants will be able to explore perceived barriers to becoming a judge. Under the special scheme, special attention will be paid to lawyers from under-represented groups like women, applicants from a black, Asian or minority ethnic background, those with disabilities, and solicitors and chartered legal executives.
The Eye Of Media.Com heard that one of the underlying motives of the scheme has been influenced by allegations of occasional discrimination among the judiciary exercised against litigants from minority groups, as well as discrimination against legally trained professionals from ethnic minority groups and applicants who are women, highlighting gender discrimination in the judiciary, an unacceptable failing in one of the highest offices in the land.
UNDERREPRESENTED
Minority groups and women are widely underrepresented in the justice system, despite many possessing similar levels of qualification and training. The justice system is expected to be one of the most credible and honourable offices in the world , and cannot afford to be affected by discriminatory practices.The Ministry of Justice has impressively pledged £152,000 over a three year period to fund the programme’s start-up costs. Forum members will contribute towards further running costs.
Secretary of State for justice and Lord Chancellor, David Gauke said:
‘Encouraging diversity is important in fostering a legal system that better reflects and represents the range of voices in our society. The programme is a positive step forward to support lawyers from all backgrounds, including those from under-represented groups as they aspire towards a judicial career. We are strengthening our world-renowned justice system by drawing on a greater diverse range of knowledge and expertise.’bench intellectual rigour and sophisticated interpersonal skills, which will be increasingly valuable as the number of litigants in person in our courts grows’.
Judicial appointments ‘should draw on a wide range of backgrounds and experience to send a clear message to everyone from the diverse communities that make up England and Wales that our courts reflect society. This, in turn, helps underpin the perception that the justice system is impartial, balanced and fair’, she added.
Lord Chancellor: David Gauke
The move follows a campaign launched by Labour MP David Lammy, who conducted a high profile review of race and the criminal justice system. Lammy lamented the absence of judicial diversity targets in an impassioned speech to the House of Commons justice select committee that the government
Lord Kakkar, Chairman of the Judicial Appointments Commission and the Judicial Diversity Forum, added:
Taking the first step towards a judicial role can feel like a big decision. This initiative, which gives priority to those from currently under-represented groups, will help potential candidates understand what is required and be better prepared for judicial appointment.
The Judicial Appointments Commission is pleased to be part of this and looks forward to reporting on its impact in future years”.
The offer by the PAJE to participants from all legal backgrounds to develop their understanding of the role and skills required of a judge is an exciting opportunity for all aspiring judges with a legal background.
A spokesperson from the Ministry Of Justice told The Eye Of Media.Com:
”MoJ funding will amount to an estimated £152,000 over three years to cover start-up costs, including the cost of developing online materials used in the programme. The total cost of the programme will be approximately £300,000 including contributory costs from partners”.