A SENIOR Liverpool lawyer is compiling an official report to help steer the Government into appointing a more diverse judiciary.
Justice secretary Jack Straw’s Advisory Panel on Judicial Diversity is preparing its final submission on how to get more black, women and minority ethnic applicants into judicial office.
Among the six-strong panel is Andrew Holroyd, a former president of the Law Society of England and Wales and managing partner of Church Street-based Jackson & Canter.
The panel is chaired by Liberal Democrat peer Baroness Julie Neuberger and also includes Lord Justice Goldring.
They were asked by Mr Straw in April to look into diversity and bring back a strategy for opening up the bench in the New Year.
Mr Holroyd told LDP Legal: “We want to have a judiciary that reflects the society it serves.
“We’ve had the opportunity to look at things across the whole spectrum, from what the appointment process is, what the problems are, from lawyers’ education right the way down to looking at the whole system and seeing what needs to be done.
“We’ve seen judges both inside and outside London and senior members of the profession. We’ve also been to Northern Ireland to see how diversity is dealt with there.
“We’re in the final stages now. We’ve got a couple more meetings in December and January, then hopefully we will be ready to report.
“We’re drawing up a list of practical measures that can be taken quickly and also those that may need legislation.”
The other three members of the panel are Professor Dame Hazel Genn, Winston Hunter, QC, and Dr Nicola Brewer.
Mr Straw said: “We are fortunate in this country in having a judiciary of which we can be truly proud. I am pleased that there are increasing numbers of women, black and minority ethnic applicants for judicial office. But I am concerned, as are the Lord Chief Justice and the Chairman of the Judicial Appointments Commission, that progress on diversity remains slow, despite the efforts and commitment of all those involved.
“We need to take a broad look at the opportunities and barriers – perceived and real – to reaching high judicial office. Becoming a judge must be, and must be seen to be, open to all with the right skills and qualities.”
