Diversity in the judiciary

Diversity in the judiciary, or rather the lack of it, is something that has been raised as an issue from time to time since the early nineties, says Mrs Justice Dobbs. She discusses what has been done in the UK and in other countries to increase diversity in the judiciary and what measures could be taken in future.

“Whilst there has been some increase in the number of those from black and minority ethnic backgrounds, it also has been woefully slow. The trickle-up theory has not worked. The various initiatives by the previous Lord Chancellors have not had the significant impact hoped for. Change takes time. But it is clear from the fact that the issue of diversity in the judiciary has been a live one for at least 15 years, that there is an imperative for the pace of change to speed up significantly.”