England: Ethnic minority applicants more likely to fail in applications to the bench

Sitting judges called on the equalities watchdog to investigate the “discriminatory, unfair and unlawful” judicial appointment system earlier this year.

The Judicial Support Network said there were claims of racism and bullying in the judiciary and over appointments.

Oxbridge graduates and barristers are more likely to become judges than graduates of other universities, or solicitors, but even those ethnic minority applicants with degrees from Oxbridge still did less well in the application process than their white peers.

“These latest figures show that there is considerably more work to be done at the point of recruitment,” said Sam Mercer, head of diversity at the Bar Council.

Ms Mercer added that “the consequence of this trend is that it sends the wrong message to those considering a career as a judge from ethnic minority backgrounds when they can clearly see they face less chance of succeeding once they enter the competition compared to their white counterparts”.