New statistics highlight positive steps on judicial diversity
The Judicial Diversity Forum (JDF), chaired by the JAC, has today published the annual Diversity of the judiciary: 2025 Statistics.
The report brings together a range of in-depth data about the diversity of the legal professions, judicial appointments and the current judiciary.
The 2025 report (opens in new tab) continues to provide more specific details on ethnicity and contains additional data on disability and socio-economic background compared to previous years.
In addition, to further increase transparency, a new dashboard has been produced and published alongside the report. The new dashboard aims to make it easier for users to access data from previous reports and provide an alternative way to view the data.
The statistics are used to inform the JDF’s work, providing evidence to help tailor support for currently underrepresented groups and removing barriers to judicial diversity.
The JDF published an action plan in February 2025, setting out its priorities and actions to drive judicial diversity.
The JDF has also published a joint statement to accompany today’s Statistics Report, which outlines the JDF’s commitment to improving the quality and scope of its data to support its collective action to improve judicial diversity.
What is the Judicial Diversity Forum?
The JDF brings together organisations from across the legal sector, working in partnership to be both thought and action leaders in the area of judicial diversity. The JDF is made up of the leaders of the JAC, the Ministry of Justice, the Judiciary, the Bar Council, the Law Society, Chartered Institute of Legal Executives and the Legal Services Board.
JAC’s ongoing work to help improve judicial diversity
The JAC, along with partners in the JDF, has established a range of initiatives to help improve judicial diversity. The Targeted Outreach Programme continues to support improved outcomes from underrepresented target groups.
You can find out more about our work to attract and better prepare potential candidates from underrepresented groups for judicial appointments and ensure selection processes are fair and non-discriminatory in our Diversity update: 2025