Changes to the judicial appointments system making way for all appointments from next spring to be suitable for part-time workers will benefit solicitors, lawyers said this week.

The Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA) announced earlier this month that from 1 April 2005, all new and existing salaried appointments below High Court level will be suitable for part-time sitting unless the nature of the office or business needs dictate otherwise.


The move - which will affect about 1,450 judicial posts - will extend salaried part-time sitting, currently limited to new appointments at district judge and tribunal level, to county court, magistrates' court and Crown Court levels.


Part-time office holders will have the same status, access to cases and training opportunities as full-time judges, a statement from the DCA said.


The Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer, said: 'It is a very positive step towards the wider strategy of increasing diversity by removing the barriers that inhibit individuals from considering judicial appointment.'


A Law Society spokeswoman said: 'We very much welcome the possibilities for part-time serving within the senior levels of the judiciary, as we believe this will open up the judiciary to a wider pool of candidates, such as solicitors and those with family and carer responsibilities.'


Mark Clough, the chairman of the Solicitors Association of Higher Court Advocates and head of world trade at City firm Ashurst, said: 'Steps to improve access to part-time judicial posts will be of interest to solicitor-advocates and solicitors working in law firms generally.'