Page 58 - Judicial Diversity Update report

2.92. Socio-economic background often intersects with other demographics such as
ethnicity and professional background (as discussed above). It is therefore
important to look at intersectionality to get a fuller understanding of the role
that socio-economic background plays in the recruitment and progression of
judges. The JAC and judiciary should start to collect and publish this
information.

Disability

2.93. Our 2017 report did not include disability as a separate area of enquiry. Upon
publication we regretted this decision and were keen to remedy this in the
Update.

Sitting cohort

2.93. Currently the Judicial Office does not publish data on disability of sitting
judges. Its website notes that ‘[d]isability information is not currently
presented as it is not possible to differentiate between those without a disability
and non-respondents. Disability information is collected on a non-mandatory
basis by self-declaration, representing the perception of the individuals
themselves. Disability information may change over time, an individual’s
diversity information is only taken at point of entry unless they contact the
relevant HR staff to update their disability information should their status
change’.
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2.94. While it is true that disability can be more fluid than other diversity
characteristics this should not inhibit the collection of data on a regular basis.
We urge the judiciary to collect disability data on the sitting cohort of judges.

Analysis of exercises for senior courts – applicants, success
rates and legal exercises

133 Lord Chief Justice, Guide to Judicial Diversity Statistics, 11 July 2019, available online at
https://www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Guide-to-Judicial-Diversity-Statistics.pdf, p.4
(s. 4.(d))
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