Law Society hosts reception for solicitor judges

14 June 2010

The outstanding achievements of solicitor judges will be marked by an inaugural Law Society reception.

The event on 15 June will celebrate the commitment and contribution that solicitors who become judges make to the judicial system. More solicitor judges mean a more diverse judiciary that is reflective of the society it serves.

As well as an opening speech from the Law Society president, Robert Heslett, Baroness Prashar, chair of the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC), and Baroness Neuberger, who recently chaired the Advisory Panel on Judicial Diversity, will be attending the event.

This event coincides with the publication of the Law Society’s response to the Report on the Advisory Panel on Judicial Diversity 2010 where the Law Society recommends further actions, which, while challenging, could improve judicial diversity.*

Recent Law Society initiatives to assist solicitors applying for judicial appointments include Meet the Judges sessions, training courses, and a training video jointly produced with the JAC of the role play element of the selection process.

Law Society president Robert Heslett says:

"We strive to encourage solicitors to attain judicial appointments and work hard to promote this as a realistic and progressive career choice for our members.

"We are very proud of our members who now sit as judges, and consider them as role models for the rest of the profession."

"The Law Society wants to see improvements to the way judges are appointed as well as offering greater career flexibility. It is extremely important that the judiciary is an accurate reflection of both the profession and society."

"We also want to ensure that solicitors who do become judges do not feel disconnected from the profession once they come off the Roll. Therefore this event will mark the first of many initiatives to maintain a professional and personal relationship between members and the Society."

Baroness Neuberger adds:

"I very much hope that more solicitors will be putting themselves forward to become judges at every level, increasing the diversity of professional backgrounds in the judiciary.

"I welcome the work the Law Society has done in this regard, particularly around ethnicity and gender, but more generally supporting solicitors in the process."

The Reception for Solicitor Judges takes place on Tuesday 15 June from 6pm-8pm in the Reading Room, Chancery Lane.

Notes:

*Law Society comment on Report of the Advisory Panel on Judicial Diversity 2010:
http://www.lawsocietymedia.org.uk/site.php?s=1&content=35&press_release_id=1249&mt=34

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