Latest Judicial Diversity and Inclusion Strategy includes focus on improving diversity in senior judiciary

The Courts and Tribunals Judiciary has included a new focus area for the first year of its Judicial Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2026-2030, which is to expand the diversity in the pool of applicants to the High Court and above.

The strategy document says: “This is based on data available within the published Judicial Diversity Statistics which shows that the progress made to improve diversity elsewhere in our courts and tribunals is not currently reflected in the senior judiciary.”

This drive for increased diversity in the senior judiciary will sit alongside two existing focus areas:

• An increase in the percentage of black judges, “as this has remained at 1% for a decade”.
• The provision of reasonable adjustments if required by disabled judicial office holders.

The strategy builds on the previous programme, which ran from 2020-2025, and is accompanied by an evaluation of that work.

For 2026-2030, it sets out three core objectives:

• Every judicial office holder fosters an inclusive working environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect;
• Greater diversity within the applicant pool for judicial office including by engaging with under-represented groups;
• The judiciary will support diversity through the development of the career potential of all salaried and fee paid judges.

Although appointment decisions will continue to be based on merit, “everyone with the requisite skills and abilities should have an equal opportunity to apply for and achieve judicial appointment”, said the Judiciary.

The strategy noted: “Those who do not see themselves reflected in the makeup of the senior judiciary may be deterred from seeking to progress. Leadership judges will take a proactive role in identifying the diverse needs of their judicial office holders and ensuring that reasonable needs are accommodated.”

Launching the strategy, Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill, Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales, said: “We are building a judiciary that is inclusive, respectful, and representative of the society that we serve; an environment where legal talent, regardless of background, can flourish and succeed.”

Lord Justice Dingemans, Senior President of Tribunals, said: “The Tribunals have made great progress in embedding diversity and inclusion into all that we do. Success relies in creating a culture in which all of our diverse and talented tribunal judges and members feel valued and supported. I look forward to continuing this vital work.”

Progress made against the strategy will be tracked and reported annually, with updates on each focus area published on the judiciary.uk website.

Lottie Winson