England: top judge calls on schools to address lack of diversity in law

Wendy Joseph QC said the UK’s “white, middle-class, middle-aged, male” courtrooms are not representative of the communities they serve.

She made the comments during a visit from pupils of her former school, Cathays High, in Cardiff, who came to theCentral Criminal Court in London.

The pupils were given the chance to watch a manslaughter by gross negligence case and to take a tour of the Old Bailey before asking the judge questions.

Judge Joseph is one of 100 “Diversity and Community Relations” judges who operate across England and Wales.

She told the pupils: “Since the judiciary serves the public, in some way it ought to reflect the diversity of the public.

“Obviously a white, middle-class, middle-aged, male judiciary does not reflect the community which we serve.”

She added that as a school pupil she received little careeres advice and argued more ought to be done in schools to encourage young people from across society to seriously consider law as a career option.

“If law isn’t a subject being taught at school where are going to pull the idea out from?

“I’m sure there are many schools that make sure their kids have really high aspirations but whether they ever talk to them about a particular aspiration in my field - I just don’t know,” the judge said.

However, she told the girls she has “no doubt” the profession would become more diverse, saying: “It’s is a hugely broad subject - every one of you would find something in law that interests you,” she added.

“You can be a barrister, you can be a solicitor, you can go to government and draft legislation - I wish someone would go and do it properly. There are hundreds of different things you can do.”