Women are hitting a 'glass ceiling' across the criminal justice system because of discriminatory cultures and practices, research released this week has revealed.

A report by the Fawcett Society, which campaigns for equality between women and men, found little evidence that women are 'trickling up' to the top jobs.

Instead, they are clustered in the lower rungs of the judiciary, the legal profession, the Crown Prosecution Service, and the prison and probation services, it said.

Based on research by a specially constituted commission over a 12-month period, the report revealed that while 59% of law graduates are female, women only account for between 7% and 8% of the judiciary at High Court level or above.

It recommended that the proposed new judicial appointments commission for the appointment of judges should take diversity into account.

The report cited Law Society findings that women trainees are paid an average of 7% less than men - a widening gap - and female assistant solicitors earn an average of 12,500 less than their male counterparts.

Examples of discrimination taking place throughout the system include pay differentials, ghettoisation in certain areas or professions, sexual harassment, inadequate maternity leave and inflexible working arrangements, the report said.

Vera Baird QC MP, chairwoman of the research commission, said: 'It is unacceptable that the system that delivers justice - to both women and men - remains male-dominated.'

Alison Parkinson, the Law Society council member representing the Association of Women Solicitors, said: 'It is good to see independent research making these points - it confirms our own views about inherent problems with the system.'

Sue Ashtiany, partner at City firm Nabarro Nathanson and commissioner at the Equal Opportunities Commission, added: 'Until we get the statistics which the report has highlighted clearly in our minds, people think that the problem is solved because there are more women coming into the profession now.'

Rachel Rothwell