The latest statistics on the diversity of the judiciary have just
been published online. The top lines
from the latest publication can be found below:
- Female representation among judges in post has been
increasing steadily over recent years, for both courts and
tribunals judges. Among all court judges female representation at
40% was 12 percentage points higher than in 2016, and that for
all tribunal judges (at 54%) it was 10 percentage points higher
than in 2016
- Across the judiciary a whole 13% of judges comes from an
ethnic minority background, a rise of 5 percentage points
compared to 2016.
- The proportion of Asian and Mixed ethnicity individuals in
the judiciary has increased since 2016, however the proportion
of Black judges has only changed from 1.4% to 1.6% since 2016.
- Non-barristers, predominantly solicitors, are better
represented among tribunal judges (60%) than court judges
(30%). Compared to 2016, this is a 4 percentage-point decrease
among court judges, and a 5 percentage-point decrease among
tribunal judges.
Please find a statement from the Deputy Prime Minister below.
Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary said:
These statistics show real progress being made. But we must
continue to go further to ensure talent from all backgrounds can
fulfil their full potential.
That's why we established the Judicial and Legal Diversity Board,
bringing together leaders from across the profession to
break down barriers and create a judiciary that reflects modern
Britain.
We are building a justice system where talent is recognised
wherever it comes from and everyone can see that justice belongs
to them equally.
Guidance:
- We are continuing to work closely with the judiciary and
legal professions to improve diversity in the profession -
including a new pupillage scheme to broaden talent in the
pipeline.
- The Government published the Equalities Statement for the
Courts and Tribunals Bill alongside the Bill in February 2026.
Since then, the Deputy Prime Minister announced his intention to
bring forward an amendment to the Bill at Report stage to provide
for an independent review to monitor the impacts of all the court
reform measures in the Bill.
- The new Judicial and Legal Diversity Board will bring
together senior legal figures to help remove barriers holding
back talented ethnic minority candidates and those from
working-class backgrounds, by improving pathways for progression.
The Board, chaired by the Lord Chancellor and the Lady Chief
Justice, met for the first time last month. earlier
this month.
- As part of its programme to improve representation, the Board
will work with Black and other minority legal professionals,
including those from working class backgrounds, to strengthen
mentoring and support. It will also continue efforts to make a
judicial career more accessible for those in other legal roles,
such as solicitors.
Statistical Summary:
- Female representation among judges in post has been
increasing steadily over recent years, for both courts and
tribunals judges. Among all court judges female representation at
40% was 12 percentage points higher than in 2016, and that for
all tribunal judges (at 54%) it was 10 percentage points higher
than in 2016
- Across the judiciary a whole 13% of judges comes from an
ethnic minority background, a rise of 5 percentage points
compared to 2016.
- The proportion of Asian and Mixed ethnicity individuals in
the judiciary has increased since 2016, however the proportion
of Black judges has only changed from 1.4% to 1.6% since 2016.
- Non-barristers, predominantly solicitors, are better
represented among tribunal judges (60%) than court judges
(30%). Compared to 2016, this is a 4 percentage-point decrease
among court judges, and a 5 percentage-point decrease among
tribunal judges.
