A report commissioned by the Judicial Executive Board and undertaken by Professor Dame Hazel Genn DBE, QC looking into “The attractiveness of senior judicial appointments to highly qualified practitioners” has been published.
The Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, said: “The last two High Court selection exercises have been very successful with no shortage of high quality candidates applying. However, it is clear that there are a number of apparently highly qualified potential candidates who do not apply, and it is important to discover why.
“All able and successful lawyers, whether barristers or solicitors, men or women, from every ethnic background, should be encouraged to think seriously about a judicial career, and a possible career as a High Court Judge. This is why the Judicial Executive Board asked Professor Dame Hazel Genn to undertake this research to examine what stops highly qualified practitioners applying.”
After interviewing recently appointed High Court Judges and 29 highly qualified barristers and solicitors, the report identifies factors that attract or deter people from applying for judicial appointments.
Professor Dame Hazel Genn DBE, QC, said: “This research was commissioned to improve the understanding of the factors that attract highly qualified practitioners to senior judicial appointments and those that might deter such people from applying. A proper understanding of these issues is important in ensuring the future quality of the senior judiciary.
“This research was aimed at identifying the key factors that practitioners saw as a barrier to a judicial career. It consisted of open questioning to allow conversations to follow a natural course.
“Judges in post talked of the satisfaction offered by a judicial post, including the opportunity to be the decision-maker, the intellectual challenge, public service ethic, prestige and financial security.
“Practitioners not seeking a salaried judicial appointment said they were deterred by the workload and working conditions, salary, loss of autonomy, a preference for advocacy rather than decision making and a belief that their temperament is more suited to the Bar than the Bench.”
Notes to Editors
- “The attractiveness of senior judicial appointment to highly qualified practitioners”– Report to the Judicial Executive Board - was produced by Professor Dame Hazel Genn DBE, QC and published on the Judicial Website
- A full copy of the review can be accessed from the link below.
- This report was conducted on behalf of the Judicial Executive Board and not the Judicial Appointments Commission and does not bind or commit the Commission.
- For further details please contact the Judicial Communications Office on 020 7073 4852.
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