The image of a male judge who was educated at Oxford University dominating the courtroom is Old Bailey For the first time, gender parity was achieved.
The historic Central Criminal Court now has an equal number of male and female full-time judges London Including three mothers with school-age children.
Chief Pele Judge Mark Lucraft QC stated that this is “an important step in the right direction”, but more can be done in terms of ethnic diversity.
In an interview with PA News Agency, the London recorder said: “I don’t think men or women have any special trump cards over others, but I think it’s important for the court to reflect society.
“I will be the first to accept that there is more work to be done in terms of ethnic background, but at least this is an important step in the right direction.”
Looking back on his background, he said: “As far as I am concerned, I firmly believe in the diversity of personal backgrounds.
“Of course, I know that quite a few judges here may not come from the traditional fields where judges might be chosen-public schools, Oxford Cambridge
“I went to a comprehensive school in North London, University of Kent Then it’s here. “
He said that by bringing together a wide range of judges, Bailey’s judges reflected society better than “if they were all white, male, privately educated, and Oxford-Cambridge-educated applicants.”
Serving as a judge in Old Bailey is a privilege in itself, and it is a greater honor to do so when the courts have achieved gender equality for the first time
He hopes that achieving gender equality sends a “positive message” to other areas of the criminal justice system and encourages people to put forward their opinions.
He added that combining difficult legal work with school-age children is a “balance that must be achieved,” but it is not an obstacle to becoming the senior circuit judge of Bailey.
The recently appointed judges-Rebecca Trowler QC, Simon Mayo QC and Alexia Durran-bring a wide range of professional experience.
Judge Lucraft said: “I am very impressed with the quality of the people who applied for the position and were shortlisted.
“I am very satisfied with the judge appointed here.
“And I’m very happy that the court I lead-the premier criminal court-where we have equal numbers of men and women for the first time, handle difficult and complex cases, and bring a wide range of background practices and ideas to this work.”
In 2012, Judge Wendy Joseph QC was the only full-time female judge sitting in Old Bailey.
She followed in the footsteps of Judge Nina Lowry (the first full-time female Judge Bailey) and Judge Ann Goddard.
There are now 7 female and 7 male full-time judges, as well as judge John Hillen who was transferred after the closure of the Blackfriars Crown Court.
Judge Trowler said: “Serving as a judge in Old Bailey is a privilege in itself, and it is a greater honor to do so when the court first achieved gender equality.
“This is an important milestone because the judiciary strives to reflect the society it represents.”
Judge Duran added: “By appointing judges with a wide range of personal and professional backgrounds, we have sent an important message that there is no’one size fits all’ approach to the law or the judiciary.
“I want to see female judges preside over some of the most complex and difficult cases UK And Wales, it will inspire other young women and female practitioners to consider legal and judicial appointments as a profession. “
Judge Lucraft said that in the past, Judge Old Bailey was usually a “male of a certain age,” but recent increases have narrowed the scope to between 50 and 69 years old.
The 59-year-old added that the large number of people means that with the relaxation of the coronavirus rules, the courts can handle the backlog of cases well.
