New measures to increase diversity in the judiciary have been jointly agreed by the Law Society, Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) and Bar Council.

Key new initiatives include a Law Society mentoring programme to support solicitors applying for judicial office, and an extension of the Bar Council’s existing circuit mentoring scheme to focus more on candidates from a wider range of backgrounds. The Law Society, JAC and Black Solicitors Network will also jointly fund a filmed role-play to help prepare candidates for the selection process.

The initiatives arise from a seminar hosted by the JAC’s diversity forum yesterday and chaired by JAC chairwoman Baroness Prashar. It examined research into what attracts or deters lawyers from applying to become judges. A detailed action plan will be agreed and published by the end of this month.

Baroness Prashar said the research confirms that concerted effort is needed to achieve speedy results. ‘There are barriers that lie outside our control and myths to dispel, and the seminar has been extremely encouraging in showing that all concerned with judicial diversity are willing to make changes to achieve results,’ she said.

Law Society president Paul Marsh said: ’The Society is committed to achieving a faster pace of change in judicial appointments by working with the JAC and partners across the legal profession. We hope that [yesterday’s] meeting will help achieve that gear change.’

Mark Bishop, president of the Institute of Legal Executives, said background, gender or race should never be a barrier for someone with the ability to fulfil a particular role. ‘We support the work being undertaken to increase diversity in judicial appointments,’ he said.

Ingrid Simler QC, chairwoman of the Bar Council’s equality and diversity committee, said a modern judiciary should reflect the communities it serves. ‘We will continue to give priority to retaining a more diverse membership… and [working] with the JAC and others to make faster progress towards a diverse judiciary,’ she said.