At the Ministry of Justice’s first ever Equality in Justice Day, senior figures all gave their perspectives on the issues of equality and diversity (the 4 speeches are at the end of this page).
Sir Suma Chakrabati
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, said:
“For my money Equality and Justice are mutually dependent. The law depends on fairness - at the risk of appearing in ‘Pseud’s Corner’, the scales of justice must always be balanced. And fairness in society ultimately depends on the law. Or as that great philosopher Bono famously once said, ‘Justice and equality are mates - aren’t they? Justice always wants to hang out with equality' !”
Bridget Prentice MP
Spoke about the important role our lawyers and judges play in the justice system, and why it was crucial that they reflect the communities they serve.
Lord Judge
The Lord Chief Justice, urged young lawyers of any ethnic origin to consider a career in the law:
“Forget the myths about barriers in the selection process, because they are myths. The trouble with myths is if people believe them, they tend to allow themselves to be influenced by them."
“The appointments system, now under the distinguished and - if I may say so in her presence - remarkably energetic leadership of Baroness Prashar is as blind to the colour of skin, social background, gender, creed, sexuality, as the blindfolded symbol of justice itself, and the judge seeking to do right to all manner of people. What we want, and what the Commission wants, is the widest possible choice of candidates from which to make selections based purely on merit. And that is the way in which diversity and merit operate together.”
Baroness Prashar
Outlined the work of the Judicial Appointments Commission, its work in encouraging diversity, progress already made and her hopes for the future.
“Our judiciary is the envy of the world. And now, the way we select and appoint our judges is the envy of the world. We often forget what we have, and don’t cherish enough the progress we are making."
“But I know there is no room for complacency. We have to take meaningful action, which will bring about real and substantial change.”
