By Monidipa Fouzder >>
(10 July 2026)
Official figures on the diversity of the judiciary have once again revealed sluggish progress – with female and ethnic minority representation rising but the number of solicitor-judges shrinking. The proportion of black judges has effectively stalled.
According to annual diversity statistics released by the Ministry of Justice yesterday, non-barristers accounted for 30% of all court judges this year – last year it was 31%. The latest figure represents a decrease of four percentage points from 2016. Non-barristers remain better represented in the tribunals, at 60%, though this represents a decrease of five percentage points from 2016.
Women accounted for 40% of court judges this year – 12 percentage points higher than in 2016, and 54% of tribunal judges, 10 percentage points higher than in 2016.
While the proportion of Asian and mixed-ethnicity judges has slowly increased, the proportion of black judges has barely shifted, from 1.4% to 1.6%, in a decade.
Lord chancellor David Lammy said: ‘These statistics show real progress being made. But we must continue to go further to ensure talent from all backgrounds can fulfil their full potential. That’s why we established the Judicial and Legal Diversity Board, bringing together leaders from across the profession to break down barriers and create a judiciary that reflects modern Britain.’
Solicitors accounted for more applicants than barristers but constituted a smaller percentage of the recommendations.
Law Society vice president Brett Dixon said: ‘Solicitors are continuing to achieve appointments as judges at disproportionately low rates compared with barristers. Our concern remains that until this percentage significantly increases, we will struggle to persuade our members that entry to the judiciary is a level playing field or that their skills are understood and valued.’
Bar Council chair Kirsty Brimelow KC voiced concern about lower recommendation rates for people who attended state school, were the first in their family to attend university and those from a lower socio-economic background.
The MoJ said the diversity board will work with black and other minority legal professionals to bolster mentoring and support.
(Courtesy: The Law Society Gazette)
