Diversity In Judiciary Called For

A call for greater diversity in the make up of the judiciary has been called for following a freedom of information request by the Scottish’s Liberal Democrats.

The results of the request show just 37 per cent of those in the role of Justice of the Peace were women in 2019. This imbalance is replicated throughout the court system. Statistics from the Judicial Office for Scotland show that just 25 per cent of Scotland’s judiciary are women, including just 23 per cent of sheriffs and 26 per cent of senators. This is despite the fact that figures over the past few years have shown that more than 50% of those graduating with law degrees in Scotland have been female. Despite that, it seems that a significant gender disparity continues to exist in relation to those progressing to the judiciary.

Women and Equalities spokesperson Christine Jardine MP said: “Despite the fact that it’s now a century since women were given the right to hold judicial office these jobs are still stubbornly out of reach for too many of them.

“Lady Hale is to be congratulated on the progress she has encouraged, but this headway feels fragile. The exodus of women from public office in the run up to the general election showed that we can’t take improvements for granted.

“All work places need to be welcoming to people from all backgrounds. Liberal Democrats introduced shared parental leave and gender pay gap reporting when in government. Both the Scottish and UK Governments now have a responsibility to see these policies through.

“In 2020 there can be no reason for this kind of disparity. Making decisions is not just a man’s job. As we enter a new decade, surely it is time for a generation of gender equality.”