In 2006, the Labour party created an independent Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC), which had a statutory duty to appoint candidates, purely on the basis of merit. This decision came after the secretary of the state, Lord Falconer of Thoroton took steps to end the ‘tap on the shoulder’ practice of appointments during Tony Blair’s government. Yet, about 32 percent of the women are judges in the court and only 8 percent come from ethnic backgrounds. This figure further dips to 4 percent in circuit High Court judges and 3 percent for Court of Appeal. According to figures reported by The Times, this diversity has improved since the commission came into existence. Women, now comprise about 35 percent of applicants and 38 per cent of recommendations, as compared to 16 percent and 22 per cent respectively before its launch.
The commission is also said to have introduced education and support schemes to attract candidates from diverse ethnic backgrounds, including non-white people and women. But the progress is slow.
In August, the employment tribunal dismissed a claim against the Ministry of Justice and two judges brought by Nawal Kumrai, a district judge, who claimed that he suffered racial discrimination during the handling of his complaint. However, a spokesman for the judiciary said: “It is fundamental to the ethos of all judges to treat everyone equally and with respect. The judiciary is committed to ensuring that the environment in which judicial office-holders work is free from racism, harassment, victimisation and bullying of any kind.”
