We launched the Judicial Support Network to support Judges and to be a voice for those who cannot raise theirs. Support behind closed doors is not enough. We have identified different areas of concern amongst members of the Judiciary. One area, that was raised frequently by a number of Judges of very diverse backgrounds was the issue of Judicial appointments and advancement through the JAC. Another was unequal treatment, and ill treatment within the Judiciary. The referral we are sending today, is from a collaboration of Judges from different jurisdictions, different parts of the country, different genders, backgrounds, ethnicity; those from Oxbridge/ Russell Group Universities and those not, from independent and State Schools, fee paid and salaried, old and young, those who have sought advancement and failed and those who have never sought advancement but feel strongly that the system must be operated fairly and transparently, and we must all be treated equally.
We are not against the Judiciary or the JAC, we are critical friends. We wholeheartedly support the purpose for which the JAC was set up in 2006 and want it to operate as it was intended. We were proud to be appointed as Judges and work hard in our roles. We do not feel we can stand by and do nothing. The JSN today submits a referral to the Equality and Human Rights Commission in the hope it will conduct an independent, fair, and transparent investigation of the Judiciary and of Judicial appointments. We hope that this referral will be welcomed by a senior Judiciary, and the JAC who will be keen to allay concerns and to enable reforms as required. We are pleased that this is supported by so many organisations who share our concerns and look forward to assisting in any way that we can.
KK QC
