More
flexible work patterns for judges are among measures being considered by the
Government to increase diversity in the profession.
The
project, led by Lord Filkin, the diversity minister at the Department for
Constitutional Affairs, will look at the steps needed to widen the pool from
which applicants for judicial appointment are drawn.
Initiatives
will include judicial work-shadowing scheme for would-be applicants, changes to
age limits, the involvement of independent lay members in sifting and interviewing
for office, and the publication of an annual judicial appointments report.
Filkin
said: "Judicial appointments must be made strictly on merit. However, the
Government is strongly committed to improving diversity within the judiciary so
that it reflects the diversity of the nation.“
