The Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) is targeting major law firms in its campaign to persuade more solicitors to become judges, a senior commissioner said this week.

Frances Kirkham, JAC commissioner in charge of the current selection exercise for recorders, said that firms, as well as individuals, gain when senior staff sit on the bench.

‘It’s such a shame that there isn’t more support,’ Kirkham said, ‘it’s a win-win for everyone.’ Benefits include better staff retention and broader horizons, she said. ‘Sitting in court gives you a hugely ­different perspective on the litigation process.’

Kirkham confirmed the commission had arranged meetings with a range of Midlands law firms in an attempt to persuade them to encourage their top staff to seek judicial appointment.

The commission will next week invite applications for the post of recorder on the Midlands circuit. There are 65 vacancies. ‘We’re very anxious to encourage more applications from under-represented groups,’ Kirkham said.

Initial selection will be by a written test, which Kirkham said had been modified. ‘Candidates were given too much material for the time available. We’ve taken that feedback and made it less of a scramble.’

Separate selection exercises to fill vacancies on the south-eastern circuit will begin in January, the commission said.

According to the Judicial Communications Office of 1,305 recorders currently in post, 1,196 are barristers and 109 solicitors. Women account for 194, and 61 are from minority ethnic backgrounds.