Solicitors have never been in a better position to apply for judicial office, the Law Society has said in response to research suggesting that many still perceive the judiciary as ‘a career for others’.

A study sponsored by the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) says that solicitors are much less likely than barristers to see becoming a judge as part of their career (see [2009] Gazette, 4 June, 1).

Paul Marsh, Law Society president, said Chancery Lane has worked hard to increase the number of solicitor applicants to the judiciary. It was disappointed that there still appears to be an underlying perception of inherent prejudice. ‘Solicitors have never been in a better position to apply. We want the number of applicants to rise and we encourage any solicitor considering judicial appointment to make the next step and apply,’ he said.

He said that the Society is keen to work even more closely with the Ministry of Justice and JAC to ensure greater diversity in the judiciary, reduce barriers to appointment and increase the profession’s confidence in the system.