13 July 2023
Latest statistics report gives further insight into diversity in the judiciary
Today, the Judicial Diversity Forum (JDF), which is chaired by the JAC, has published the annual Diversity of the Judiciary combined statistics report.
The combined statistical report, first published in 2020, brings together in-depth data from the legal professions, judicial appointments and the current judiciary.
The statistics provide detailed data which offers clear evidence to help the JDF target and tailor support to underrepresented groups in the judiciary and tackle the challenges of increasing diversity at all levels.
The 2023 report contains the same statistical sets as last year’s report with some enhancements. It includes a detailed analysis of ethnicity and reporting on the intersection of diversity characteristics such as sex, ethnicity and professional background.
In autumn 2023 the JDF will publish an updated action plan to set out its priorities and actions for 2024 to improve judicial diversity. The 2023 action plan is here.
The JDF has also published a joint statement to accompany the report, which outlines the JDF’s next steps in light of the findings. You can read the statement here.
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. Following the success of the pilot programme, the programme has expanded to include all legal exercises, with streamlined ways of working to support a wider pool of candidates from April 2023.
We are continuing to lead the JDF research into the outcomes on the JAC Qualifying Test (QT), building upon the findings of the JAC’s deep dive analysis conducted in 2018 which found that the QT stage of the selection process is where we see the steepest drop-off rate of our target group candidates in legal exercises. The results are in the process of being analysed, which will inform improvements to JAC selection tools and allow JDF partners to tailor further support accordingly.
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 most recent Diversity Update.
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. You can find out more about the JDF here.
If you are thinking about applying for a role in the judiciary, but you are unsure if you are ready, we recommend that you use our self-assessment tools: https://judicialappointments.gov.uk/am-i-ready-to-apply/