A major
new initiative launched yesterday (Thursday
21 May) will help break down
barriers and deliver a judiciary that reflects modern Britain.
The new Judicial and Legal Diversity
Board will bring together senior legal figures
to help remove barriers holding
talented ethnic minority and other
diverse candidates back by improving pathways
for progression.
Building on the success of recent recruitment drives –
which have increased the proportion of female judges to 44 per
cent – the Board, chaired by the Lord
Chancellor and the Lady Chief Justice, met for the
first time yesterday.
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.
In a major boost for transparency and open justice, the
Government and the judiciary have also agreed to
allow sentencing remarks by the Chief Magistrate to be broadcast
live for the first time.
Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary
said:
“This new board is a huge
step forward as the Lady Chief Justice and
I look to break
down barriers and back talent
from all walks of life –
continuing to drive real progress towards a
judiciary that's reflective of
modern Britain.
“We are also modernising our courts to deliver more
transparent justice, by expanding broadcasting and
bringing the work of our justice system closer to the public than
ever before.”
In addition to agreeing to the broadcasting of sentencing remarks
by the Chief Magistrate, filming will also be allowed in the
Administrative Court for the first time, bringing the justice
system closer to the public.
The Lady Chief Justice and
the Deputy
Prime Minister have also agreed to establish a
joint working group to explore how
court broadcasting can be
expanded further.
These changes in broadcasting will provide the public
with greater insight into how justice is delivered
across England and Wales.
