Media Centre
Appointments and Diversity: A Judiciary for the 21st Century
Reference number: CP19/2011
Open date: 21 November 2011
Close date: 13 February 2012
A consultation on proposed amendments to the statutory and regulatory frameworks for judicial appointments, together with improving judicial diversity.
Although the principle of appointment on merit will remain, the changes will enable clear career progression and flexible working arrangements to encourage applications from previously untapped talent pools.
The wide ranging consultation seeks views whether, when considering two candidates of equal ability, there could be a presumption in favour of selecting the person from an underrepresented group.
Lack of diversity among judges has been shown to have a negative impact on the experience of people who use the courts, and limits the range of life experiences that judges can draw upon.
Appointments and diversity - A Judiciary for the 21st Century [PDF 0.42mb]
Equality impact assessment initial screening [PDF 0.12mb]
