Judicial appointment statistics published

Figures published by the Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland (JABS) on completed appointment rounds show that 15 applications were received for five appointments to the Court of Session in an application round begun in 2015. The vast majority of these applications came from the bar, with QCs making up just over a third of applicants; advocates more than half and solicitors a fraction. Ninety per cent of applicants were White British while the remaining 10 per cent were of mixed or unknown ethnicity.

In October 2016, two further appointments to the office of Senator became available. Of the 10 applicants in this round, 90 per cent were male. Fifty per cent were from the solicitor branch of the profession, with QCs making up about a third of applicants. The remainder were solicitor advocates or advocates. Just over 80 per cent of applicants were White British with the remainder either choosing not to declare their ethnicity or identifying as “White other”.

The office of Summary Sheriff received 154 applications in an appointment round begun in June 2016 for 21 vacancies. Just under 40 per cent of applicants were female. The majority, at about 63 per cent, were solicitors, while advocates and solicitor advocates comprised about 34 per cent and QCs the remainder. Applicants were about 95 per cent White British with the remainder either not declaring their ethnicity or identifying as British Pakistani or British Indian.

Mike Ewart, former temporary chairing member, said: “The eighth Annual Report of the Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland as a statutory body, covering 2016-17, has been presented to the Scottish Ministers and laid before the Scottish Parliament.

“During the year, under its statutory obligations under the Judiciary and Courts (Scotland) Act 2008 (the 2008 Act), the board conducted nine appointment rounds.

“The details are set out within the report. This was an unprecedented volume of business for the board – most of it unplanned and requested at short notice. Without the adaptability of members and the secretariat it would not have been possible to accommodate such demands.”