Barristers aim to end “shocking” lack of diversity on Western Circuit – Legal Futures

Posted November 20th, 2020 in barristers, Crown Court, diversity, equality, judiciary, news, statistics by sally

‘A group of barristers has launched a bid to end what they describe as a “shocking” lack of diversity on the Western Circuit, where none of the full-time circuit judges are from Black, Asian or minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds.’

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Legal Futures, 20th November 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

We need to talk about race: a mid-term report – Counsel

Posted November 19th, 2020 in barristers, diversity, minorities, news, race discrimination, racism by sally

‘Microaggressions in court and everyday racism: what white colleagues don’t have to put up with and a 10-step plan for improving diversity and inclusion. By Professor Leslie Thomas QC.’

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Counsel, November 2020

Source: www.counselmagazine.co.uk

Met police told 40% of recruits must be from BAME backgrounds – The Guardian

‘Britain’s biggest police force must hire 40% of new recruits from ethnic minority backgrounds, while officers will have to justify stop and search to community panels under new plans designed to quell the race crisis engulfing Scotland Yard.’

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The Guardian, 13th November 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

UK supreme court could be left with only one female justice – The Guardian

Posted November 9th, 2020 in diversity, equality, gender, judiciary, news, Supreme Court, women by sally

‘Progress towards gender diversity on the UK’s highest court is in danger of being thrown into reverse, following the announcement that another female justice will retire shortly.’

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The Guardian, 8th November 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Research lays bare Bar’s gender and ethnicity pay gap – Legal Futures

‘Female barristers and those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds are likely to earn less than male and White counterparts by every measure, new research has found.’

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Legal Futures, 6th November 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Judicial Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2020 – 2025 launched – Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

Posted November 5th, 2020 in diversity, judiciary, press releases by sally

‘The Judicial Diversity and Inclusion Strategy has been published today (Thursday 5 November). It sets out the ambition, aim and objectives for the judiciary over the next five years.’

Full press release

Courts and Tribunals Judiciary, 5th November 2020

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk

Be yourselves, Black female QCs advise young barristers – Legal Futures

Posted October 28th, 2020 in barristers, diversity, equality, news, race discrimination, racism, women by sally

‘Young barristers from ethnic minorities should not be afraid to be who they are – including maintaining their hair in its natural look – as they look to progress, pioneering QCs have advised.’

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Legal Futures, 28th October 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Windrush report author attacks Home Office’s response – The Guardian

Posted October 15th, 2020 in citizenship, colonies, compensation, diversity, government departments, news, reports by sally

‘The Home Office has failed to make adequate progress in reviewing its hostile environment policies and must swiftly prove that it is not merely paying “lip service” to the idea of reform, the author of a damning report into the Windrush scandal has told MPs.’

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The Guardian, 14th October 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

David Greene: Condemning lawyers for doing their jobs is inherently dangerous – The Guardian

‘The new president of the Law Society on why it’s crucial to defend the rule of law in these febrile times.’

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The Guardian, 14th October 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Bar Council: Positive action like ‘preferential briefing’ can aid diversity – Legal Futures

Posted October 7th, 2020 in barristers, diversity, equality, news, pupillage, sex discrimination, women by sally

‘Positive action – such as giving female barristers preferential access to briefs after returning to chambers from career breaks – can bring about real change in addressing under-representation at the Bar, the Bar Council has said.’

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Legal Futures, 7th October 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Supreme Court President Lord Reed wants more diversity in Supreme Court – BBC News

‘The new Supreme Court president says he hopes a justice from an ethnic minority background will be appointed before his retirement in six years’ time. Lord Reed said the lack of diversity among the 12 Supreme Court justices was a situation “which cannot be allowed to become shameful if it persists”.’

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BBC News, 5th October 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

UK barrister mistaken for defendant calls for compulsory anti-racism training – The Guardian

‘The barrister who was mistaken for a defendant three times in one day at court has called for compulsory anti-racism training at every level of the UK legal system.’

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The Guardian, 26th September 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Dozens of Asian lawyers say they have been mistaken for defendants – The Guardian

‘More than 20 Asian lawyers have come forward to say they have been mistaken for defendants in court, in the same week that the black barrister Alexandra Wilson said the same had happened to her three times in a day.’

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The Guardian, 25th September 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Investigation launched after black barrister mistaken for defendant – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted September 24th, 2020 in barristers, courts, diversity, HM Courts Service, minorities, news by sally

‘The chief executive of HM Courts & Tribunals Service has begun an urgent investigation into how a black barrister was repeatedly mistaken for a defendant in court yesterday.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 24th September 2020

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Message from the Lord Chief Justice: Diversity of the judiciary – 2020 statistics – Courts & Tribunals Judiciary

‘I welcome publication of the Judicial Diversity Forum’s combined statistical report. It brings together data on the diversity of the judiciary, judicial appointments and from the relevant professional bodies (the Law Society, the Bar Council and the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx).’

Full press release

Courts & Tribunals Judiciary, 17th September 2020

Source: www.judiciary.uk

Judicial diversity statistics show ‘significant disparity’ between solicitors and barristers – Law Society’s Gazette

‘Solicitors are significantly less likely to be appointed judges than barristers even though more solicitors than barristers are applying for posts, according to a landmark diversity report published today.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 17th September 2020

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Home Office’s £400m immigration unit bases policies on ‘assumptions and prejudice’, MPs warn – The Independent

Posted September 18th, 2020 in diversity, enforcement, equality, government departments, immigration, news by sally

‘The Home Office appears to be formulating its immigration policies on “anecdote, assumption and prejudice” rather than evidence, MPs have warned.’

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The Independent, 18th September 2020

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Covid-19 creating new challenges for social mobility at the Bar – The Bar Council

Posted September 15th, 2020 in barristers, coronavirus, diversity, news by sally

‘This week, 10 new barristers from across England and Wales, known as Social Mobility Advocates, join the Bar Council’s award-winning social mobility campaign #IAmTheBar, now in its third year.’

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The Bar Council, 14th September 2020

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Do black lives matter in the employment justice system? – Garden Court Chambers

‘Paper produced by Mukhtiar Singh of the Garden Court Employment and Discrimination Law Team.’

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Garden Court Chambers, 14th September 2020

Source: www.gardencourtchambers.co.uk

BSB pilots reverse race mentoring for senior White barristers – Legal Futures

Posted September 4th, 2020 in barristers, diversity, equality, news, pilot schemes, race discrimination, racism by sally

The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has launched a pilot reverse mentoring scheme, in which Bar students and junior barristers from Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds mentor senior White barristers.

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Legal Futures, 3rd September 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk