England: Bar equality chief urges action on BAME judges

A leading Bar Council of England and Wales figure has urged “positive action” to increase the number of black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) judges.

Figures from the Judicial Appointments Commission show that BAME candidates made up 20 per cent of applicants for judicial posts, but only 6 per cent of recommendations for appointment.

BAME candidates also made up 23 per cent of deputy district judge applicants, but only six per cent of recommendations for appointment.

There were no BAME candidates for senior judicial roles.

However, judicial history was also made earlier this year when Dundee-born Judge Anuja Ravindra Dhir QC was appointed to the Old Bailey, becoming the first non-white judge to join the court.

Robin Allen QC, chair of the Bar’s equality and diversity committee, told The Brief: “We cannot go on having no BAME applications for senior judicial roles. The rule of law requires a fully diverse judiciary.”

Mr Allen added: “Once again the figures reveal the urgent need for positive action to make BAME applicants more successful and to increase the number of eligible women applicants.

“These figures stress the importance of the Bar Council’s ongoing training and coaching programmes for BAME and women lawyers who wish to serve as members of the judiciary.”