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I also understand the problem for solicitors’ practices.

However, there is a public policy issue at stake. The judiciary should be appointed from the widest qualified and competent demographic. If significant numbers are constrained from applying, then public policy is set at nought.

I have said before, but will repeat, that it should be a professional offence for a solicitor to “prevent” another applying for judicial office. I used the word “prevent” as a generalisation. The regulatory provision will need careful drafting - but it would be possible.

As an aside, if there are more dislikes than likes to this message, then can the whinging and hand wringing about the dearth of solicitor judges please stop.