Progress ‘too slow’ on judicial diversity

Since 2015, the number of judges from different ethnic minority backgrounds has increased from 7% to 12%, but the number of Black judges has remained at 1% of the total, according to the judicial diversity statistics 2024–25, published this week.

Bar Council chair, Barbara Mils KC, who is a deputy High Court judge, said: ‘Every year we are told that there is gradual progress being made towards a more diverse judiciary, but it’s far too slow for Black lawyers and this is no longer good enough.

‘We are concerned that candidates from a minority ethnic background, and in particular Black lawyers, are disproportionately ruled out at each step of the recruitment process. We are told that this data is not statistically relevant. We disagree. It is relevant and requires scrutiny.’

The diversity statistics also showed the under-representation of solicitors in the judiciary. The courts judiciary is composed of 70% barristers and 30% solicitors. In the tribunals, the split is roughly 40% barristers and 60% solicitors. Taken together, the judiciary as a whole is made up of 60% barristers to 40% solicitors.

Women are proportionately represented in all but the highest echelons of the judiciary—44% of all judges but only 23% in the Court of Appeal (nine Lady Justices) and 30% in the High Court (32 judges).

One in ten judges (8% in courts and 15% in tribunals) reported they are disabled.

Baroness Carr said: ‘I am determined to improve diversity in the judiciary. It is one of my key priorities.’

Law Society president, Richard Atkinson said: ‘Solicitors are continuing to achieve appointments as judges at disproportionately low rates compared with barristers and the numbers are falling.’