Solicitors are not pursuing careers within the judiciary because senior partners are reluctant to allow them the time to sit as judges, a commissioner for the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) told the Solicitors Association of Higher Court Advocates last weekend.


'We are finding particular problems with encouraging solicitors to apply for appointments and that is because, for many, to voice interest at all is career blight. It is a real problem,' said Mrs Justice Frances Kirkham.



On a show of hands, only 10 of around 150 delegates said they were considering applying for judicial appointment. Mrs Justice Kirkham said she believed 'many more people would like to apply but would not say for fear of it getting back to the office'.



She added that firms should allow solicitors the time to sit as judges - something that would also improve advocacy skills.



Mrs Justice Kirkham urged solicitors to consider and apply for jobs in the judiciary, particularly highlighting the 'wide range of Tribunal appointments' on offer. She denied that solicitors were disadvantaged at recorder level competitions - a position widely regarded as a key stepping-stone to more senior judicial appointments.



Bridget Prentice, the justice minister responsible for legal services reform, also addressed the conference and said the alternative business structures (ABSs) allowed under the Legal Services Act will 'promote efficiency and innovation in the sector, and enable businesses to provide services in a consumer-friendly way'.



She told the audience it was vital to protect the consumer interest, and the use of the term 'client' by some lawyers and 'consumer' by government was an indication of 'the great divide between us'.



Ms Prentice added: 'I don't see people as clients - I see them as people consuming services. Perhaps I would use the word "citizen" as an alternative to describe the vast majority of people who, at some time in their life, are the consumer of services that you provide.'



Andrew Holroyd, president of the Law Society, and Tim Dutton QC, chair-elect of the Bar Council, said ABSs would not result in a convergence of the two branches of the profession, but could mean more competition between regulators.



Anita Rice