Judicial Diversity and Inclusion Strategy - Three-year update
19 September 2024
The UK Supreme Court and Judicial Committee of the Privy Council has published their third annual update on the Judicial Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.
The update on the Court's activities includes the partnership with the Black Talent Charter, inviting judges from lower courts to sit on UKSC and JCPC hearings, reverse mentoring schemes, internships, as well as visits from the Young Muslim Leadership Programme and the Girls Human Rights Hub.
Introducing the report, Lord Reed, President of the UK Supreme Court and Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, said: "Our work and strategy on Judicial Diversity and Inclusion reflects the Court's awareness of the often-invisible barriers that many people face in the legal profession, resulting in their under-representation in the judiciary and more senior levels of the legal profession.
"During this past year it has been a privilege for the Court to learn from different groups about the challenges faced as part of their experiences working in the legal sector. The Court has engaged in a learning and listening process, and we aim to do more in the coming year."
The full report can be read on the Court's website.
In 2021, the Court set out five objectives to improve diversity and inclusion in the Court itself and promote and encourage improvements across the judiciary:
- Objective 1: To support and build an inclusive and respectful culture and working environment at the Court, where all Justices support the strategy and lead the way.
- Objective 2: To support the progression of underrepresented groups into judicial roles.
- Objective 3: To support an increase in the number of well-qualified applicants from underrepresented groups for the role of Justice.
- Objective 4: To proactively communicate the Court's support for diversity and inclusion to the legal profession and the public.
- Objective 5: To fulfil our obligations under the Equality Act 2010: As part of the Court's obligations under the Equality Act (2010) and the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED).
Last year, the Court published a video highlighting its work to support diversity and inclusion in the legal profession, which can be viewed on its YouTube channel.