The first woman Law Lord said last week that she would like to see more solicitors in the senior judiciary.

In a briefing with reporters, Lady Hale, said: 'I am a supporter of attempts...

to widen the pool [from which senior judges are chosen]...

The pool should be open to all those with appropriate legal qualifications, and their competence should be assessed in accordance with common employment practices.'

Lady Hale argued that solicitors and legal academics who have reached a certain level in their careers should be permitted to enter the judiciary at a higher level.

She said: 'People should be able to enter the judiciary from other walks of life, which would enhance its status and independence.

Individuals would be less dependent on promotion if they were able to enter at a more senior level.'

On other issues, Lady Hale said she sided with the minority of four Law Lords who last week came out in support of the concept of a supreme court, 'assuming the government will do the right thing in providing proper accommodation and budget'.

A former judge in the Family Division, Lady Hale welcomed the concept of same-gender marriages: 'There is a strong case for introducing some form of legal commitment for people who are unable to marry, by which I mean gays and lesbians.

'There is also a strong case for improving the protection for the more vulnerable partner in unmarried [heterosexual] couples.

But I am not in favour of equating the law - marriage provides a relationship which benefits both parties.'

Lady Hale reiterated her dislike of the traditional 'male' horsehair wig.

She said: 'I find it strange that lawyers and judges are so puzzled that the general public think of them as old men, when they dress up as though they are.'

Law Lords do not wear wigs and she said she would welcome 'doing serious business, sensibly dressed'.

Rachel Rothwell