By David Young-
Over 5o percent of legal professionals have witnessed one or more judge act in a racially biased way, according to the findings of an academic report that concludes that the justice system is institutionally racist.
The shocking report which included a number of judges and the Judicial Support Network and was sponsored by the Centre on Dynamics of Ethnicity (CoDE), based at Manchester- the UK’s leading research centre pioneering theoretically informed, empirically grounded and policy relevant research on
ethnic inequalities in the UK.
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The Racial Bias and the Bench report, unveiled last night, was published by the University of Manchester in response to the five-year Judicial Diversity and Inclusion Strategy published in November 2020.
Nearly all of the 373 legal professionals surveyed for the report said racial bias played some role in the processes or outcomes of the justice system.
Over half (56%) said they had witnessed at least one judge acting in a racially biased way towards a defendant; 52% said they had witnessed one or more judges acting in a racially biased way in their judicial rulings, summing up, sentencing, bail, comments and/or directions.
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One respondent said: ‘Subtle differences in judicial intervention/questions when speaking to those of different ethnic backgrounds. No smiles, as there had been to the white witnesses. Almost a scowl when speaking to others.’
Another respondent said: ‘Every single case I have had with a Black parent they have been described as “aggressive”. EVERY case (I have kept a tab),’ one respondent said.
Diversity
Garden Court Chambers’ Keir Monteith KC, one of the report’s seven authors, told the event that the Judicial Diversity and Inclusion Strategy was designed to increase diversity. However, the strategy does not mention the words ‘racial bias’ and ‘racism’. ‘Race’ appears once in a footnote.
Monteith said the survey yielded unique data, with 119 legal professionals taking the time out to write down what they had witnessed and experienced in and out of the courtroom.
Monteith, who also sits as a recorder, added: ‘Racism in an institution has to be talked about openly and honestly – not erased, not ignored, not rewritten as if there is no problem. I have been in the system for almost three decades. With great sadness I read the results of our survey. It’s upsetting. It needs to change.’
The report recommends that the lord chief justice and leadership judges publicly acknowledge and recognise that the justice system is institutionally racist so that steps for real progress can be taken, such as redrawing the founding objectives of the Judicial Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.
Other recommendations include compulsory racial bias and anti-racist training for all judges, overhauling the judicial appointments process, and ensuring all hearings are recorded and easily accessible.
In a statement, the lord chief justice said: ‘The Judicial Executive Board and I have been working hard to deal with problems of the sort that have been identified, where they exist. The Diversity and Inclusion Strategy is but part of that work. The judiciary will look carefully at this report and take it into account when considering how to focus our efforts in the future. Any incidents of racism, harassment, bullying or discrimination are unacceptable and will be dealt with in accordance with the relevant grievance or conduct procedure.’
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