Judicial board to look at profession's inequality
18 Apr 08
Still too few women applicants for the bench, appointments board believes
The Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland is to look at why there are so few women and people from ethnic minorities applying for senior judicial roles, according to an article in today's Scotsman.
The board is worried that the dominance of white middle class men in the judiciary is damaging the public reputation and credibility of judges, and is offputting for victims of crime, such as women who have been raped.
Chairman Sir Neil McIntosh is quoted as saying that he believes women have as much chance as men of becoming senior judges, but not enough are putting themselves forward. However he has ruled out a quota system.
The board's inquiry will look at the factors it believes may work against women, and people from ethnic minorities, such as the hours and the necessity of travelling across Scotland.
Only four of Scotland's 35 serving senior judges are women (11%) and none are from ethnic minorities. Of the 140 full-time sheriffs, 26 are women and only one from an ethnic minority.