Responding today to a report published by the House of Lords
Constitution Committee on Judicial Appointments, Law Society
President John Wotton said the Law Society backs the committee's
conclusion that a more diverse judiciary would improve public trust
and confidence in the justice system.
John Wotton, who gave evidence to the Select Committee on the
Constitution Inquiry on the judicial appointments process in
October 2011 said; “The proposals in the report are
consistent with the points the Law Society raised in evidence on
diversity and judicial careers.
“We are pleased that the Constitution Committee's report
has put an end to the doubts over the future of the JAC and has
endorsed once and for all the continuation of the independent
system for judicial appointments. The Law Society is
committed to the independent Judicial Appointments Commission and
the open and transparent process for the selection of candidates
for appointment as judges in England and Wales.”
He added, “It is also very encouraging to see that, while
the committee emphasised the importance of selection based on the
sole criterion of merit, it also acknowledged that merit is not a
narrow concept based solely on intellectual capacity or high
quality advocacy.
“The committee clarified that those from under-represented
groups are worthy candidates and that a more diverse judiciary will
not undermine the quality of our judges. There is much to be done
to improve the chances of candidates from under-represented groups
of being appointed. The Law Society is fully committed to the
efforts to improve judicial diversity.
“The Law Society is disappointed, however, that the
Committee has called into question the Society's commitment to
encouraging solicitors to become judges. The Society has
worked closely with the JAC and with firms to stress the
opportunities that exist for solicitors, to encourage solicitors to
apply and to prepare them for the appointment process. We
believe that solicitors are well placed to make excellent judges
and that this will provide a valuable career path for them.
The way in which the process runs does, however, place significant
barriers in the way of solicitors applying because of the working
patterns and obligations of solicitors. We will continue to
work on new initiatives with the JAC and firms to see how those
barriers can be overcome.”
This report coincides with the recent Ministry of Justice
consultation Appointments and Diversity - A Judiciary for the 21st
Century. The two documents should provide a road map for the
evolution and improvement of the judicial appointments process
through the remainder of the decade.
Ends
Notes to editors:
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and represent its members, promoting the highest professional
standards and the rule of law.
Contact: Catherine Reed, The Law Society
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