20 May 2021
We have today published our latest diversity update. The update details our ongoing work to attract and better prepare potential candidates from under-represented groups for judicial appointments and ensure selection processes are fair and non-discriminatory. We publish diversity updates twice a year.
Recent highlights include the launch of our Targeted Outreach initiative, providing specialist support to candidates from under-represented groups. We have already:
- received 145 applications with good representations across our target groups
- compiled action plans to support a third of applications that were successful in securing a place on the programme, and
- set up a scheme matching candidates to senior members of the judiciary to act as guides,
Diversity has been at the heart of our business continuity planning over the last year as we responded and adapted to the challenges of COVID-19 and moved all selection activity to being run remotely. We have been tailoring communications approaches where necessary to support candidates, and offering flexibility by way of reasonable adjustments. We have now completed our diversity impact assessment of remote working and are pleased to see that broadly, progression of target groups through the selection process is in line with historical performance. The assessment has also highlighted some positive findings in relation to our outreach activities, where through close partnership working and better use of technology, we have been able to reach wider audiences. We are continuing to monitor progression rates to feed into the broader evaluation of our remote approaches.
Working to support a world class judiciary that reflects the society it serves is at the heart of what we do at the JAC, and we continually review and improve our selection tools and processes to make sure they meet this aim.
Work is underway by the Judicial Diversity Forum (JDF) to deliver a second combined statistical report in 2021, following and building on our first ever combined report from September 2020. The report will bring together data on the diversity of the judiciary, judicial appointments and the relevant legal professions as well as building on the 2020 report with new areas of analysis.
You can read the JAC’s previous diversity update here.