Barristers are 50% more likely than solicitors to win through the judicial appointments process, official figures have shown.


The sixth judicial appointments annual report also revealed that women solicitors were far more successful than their male counterparts in the last year. More women solicitors were appointed in 2003/4 than men, even though almost twice as many men applied.



The Department for Constitutional Affairs report found that barristers were substantially more likely to be interviewed than solicitors, and that 18% of all barristers were appointed to judicial roles (40% of QCs), compared to 11% of solicitors.



In total, 1,119 solicitors applied, compared to 811 barristers.



Some 68 of the 123 solicitors to gain appointments were women; 410 women applied (a 17% success rate), compared to 709 men (8%).



Overall, the report found a notable increase in the percentage of people from minority ethnic groups appointed as judges, magistrates and tribunal members, rising from 8.9% last year to 14.8%.



The report said: 'The figure for minority ethnic appointments may be higher than the likely long-term trend because (a) of a larger than usual proportion of tribunal appointments of medically qualified members in 2003-4, and (b) a new, more accurate method of monitoring ethnic origin. However, even accounting for these factors, the underlying trend is still up.'



The percentage of women appointed rose to 32%, up 1% on the year before, but still below where it was two years ago (34%).



Russell Wallman, the Law Society's director of strategic policy, said: 'The Society is concerned that the present system does not offer solicitors a fair chance of appointment, which is why we favour new, transparent ways of assessing suitability that do not rely on methods that are inherently likely to have discriminatory effect, such as consultation.



'The system is changing for the better and this is already starting to bear fruit... The Law Society continues to encourage solicitors to apply for appointment.'



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