Greater diversity of applicants to the High Court and Court of Appeal will be a top priority for the judiciary this year to ensure judges reflect the society they serve, according to the latest judicial diversity and inclusion action plan.
The most recent diversity statistics show that judges sitting in the High Court and above are predominantly white men from the bar. The Judiciary Diversity and Inclusion Strategy for 2026-30, published yesterday, states that expanding diversity in the pool of applicants to the High Court and above has been added as a third focus area for 2026. The Supreme Court has its own strategy.
‘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,’ the strategy document says.
Increasing the percentage of black judges, which has remained 1% for over a decade, and providing reasonable adjustments for disabled judges are the other two focus areas.
Focus areas are reviewed annually but ‘we have learned that we must be realistic about what we can do with limited time and resources, at a time when the judiciary faces enormous demands’, the strategy says.
Senior judges will engage annually with judicial networks representing diverse cohorts, such as associations for black, LGBTQ+ and women judges. The strategy reveals that a judicial network representing judges with disabilities is planned.
Further guidance will be published on what constitutes bullying, harassment, discrimination and exclusionary behaviour. A new health and wellbeing strategy is in the works.
Lady chief justice Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill said: ‘A judiciary that reflects society is part of how we maintain public confidence in the justice system. It ensures that we draw on the widest possible pool of talent and benefit from a broad range of perspectives and experiences. However, we recognise that there is still more to do and that diversity alone is not enough. We must also foster a culture of inclusion - one in which everyone is treated with dignity and respect, and where difference is valued.’
