Law Society President Paul Marsh is calling on the Judicial Appointments Commission to tackle the imbalance of solicitors being appointed to the bench after the ‘disappointing’ outcome of the latest selection round. Of 76 recorders chosen for the north, north-east and Wales circuits last year, only seven were solicitors.

In a letter to Lady Prashar, the JAC chair, Marsh said the ‘worrying and disappointing’ figure ‘belies the combined efforts of the Law Society and the JAC to interest members of the solicitors’ profession in applying for a judicial appointment’.

Marsh said that the latest figures intensify the perception that the selection system is ‘skewed in favour of barristers’.

Marsh told the Gazette that one unfair hurdle is a role-playing exercise for shortlisted candidates. ‘We question whether these role-playing exercises are really appropriate,’ Marsh said. ‘Just because you are a good advocate does not make you a good judge.’

The JAC said it works with all its partners to develop selection processes, ensuring fairness in making selections on merit.