The Law Society and Judicial Appointments Commission [JAC] will today launch a joint plan to support solicitors who want to become judges, after an analysis of the appointment of solicitors as judges over the past 10 years.

A study by the JAC and Ministry of Justice showed little difference in the proportion of solicitor applicants for most judicial posts pre- and post-2006/07, when the JAC took over the selection process from the then Department for Constitutional Affairs. It suggested solicitors are performing better than before in selection exercises for entry- and middle-ranking posts under the JAC, while appointments to more senior positions have fallen.

The joint plan will see a series of outreach events tailored to the 2011/12 selection programme, with feedback on the process from solicitors and a revision of the JAC application form to benefit solicitors.

The Law Society will also run workshops to support aspiring solicitor judges.

Law Society president Linda Lee said the JAC process was more objective than the previous system, but more work is still needed because Society research shows many solicitors are still deterred from applying for judicial appointments.