The Ethnic Minority Lawyers Division supports diversity and access to the legal profession. The Law Society works closely with the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) and is committed to creating a more diverse judiciary. In the video below we profile two ethnic minority judges who share their journey from solicitor to sitting on the bench. If you would like more information on judicial appointments visit the JAC website and check back with our community page for JAC events, workshops and updates.
© Judicial Appointments Commission and the Law Society 2012
Judicial appointment workshops - your experiences
In addition to targeted outreach events, the Law Society sponsors a limited number of free places on a training course that has been developed for solicitors applying for judicial appointments. Participants receive practical advice on completing the self-assessment application form which demonstrates that they can fulfil the requirements of the selection criteria and then undertake a mock panel interview.
Below are a selection of testimonials from solicitors who attended the last training course which took place at the beginning of December:
As a Solicitor (non-practising) interested in joining the Judiciary, I found the JAC workshop (BSN Mentoring scheme workshop) very useful. The presenter Manjula Bray together with the two Judges who kindly gave up their Saturdays, gave us a valuable insight into the Judicial Appointments procedure which at first sight may appear somewhat daunting.
They also shared helpful tips regarding the Application and Interview. I would recommend any BAME member who is interested in a Judicial Appointment and who has perhaps commenced preparation for this, to attend future workshops and in doing so receive the support and encouragement to see their Application through.
- Maria Assunta Greco
I attended the BAME Judicial Appointment Workshop recently.
I found it very informative and useful because we went through the Qualities and Abilities which are on the judicial application. Furthermore, during the course, I also participated in role plays - practice interviews for judicial applicants - and I was given some feedback on my judicial application.
The latter was invaluable as the feedback was from a practising judge who is familiar with the judicial application process. The feedback was constructive criticism, which was very useful for when I next make my application for judicial appointment!
- Catherine Chu (Chu & Leng Solicitors)
For everyone seriously contemplating or progressing their judicial career, this workshop is invaluable. There were elements of the workshop aimed directly at ethnic minorities and the difficulties (real or perceived) which we face in the process of applying for judicial posts. For me, myths were dispelled and I came away feeling enthusiastic about the prospect of a judicial career.
The mock interview process was also fantastic and delegates had the opportunity of interviewing and being interviewed. The feedback received was very useful indeed.
I cannot say thank you enough to Manjula Bray, Tan Ikram and Cordella Bart-Stewart for spending time with all the delegates and imparting invaluable knowledge of the judicial process. Thanks also goes to the Law Society and the BSN for organising the event. One must not forget to say thank you for the chocolates biscuits. They were heavenly and inhaled quite enthusiastically and quickly by some of us!
- Margaret A. Ilori (Capulet Solicitors)