UK has the lowest proportion of female judges within the EU

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The UK has the lowest proportion of female judges within the European Union, according to a new report.

The research, released by the Council of Europe, found that across England and Wales only 30 per cent of judges were female. This figure falls to 23 per cent in Scotland and Ireland.

Slovenia, Latvia and Romania are amongst those with the highest number of female judges, with over 70 per cent. Azerbaijan has the lowest percentage, coming in at 11 per cent, followed by Armenia, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Across Europe, the study also found that female judges made up 51 per cent of the workforce.

The report comes just days after Justice Secretary Liz Truss criticised the level of diversity throughout the courts and vowed to “open up the justice system.”

In July, Truss was sworn in as Lord Chancellor, the first woman to hold the role in its thousand-year history. However, her appointment was not without controversy. Many called into question her ability to do the job without being a lawyer, while others doubted whether she could ‘represent the interest of the judiciary’

Speaking at the Conservative Party Conference, Truss said, “Currently only one in seven QCs and one in three partners in law firms are women.”

“Fewer than one in ten judges come from ethnic minorities and only a quarter went to a state school.”

“This is modern global Britain – we can do better than that.”

About the author

Alison is the Digital Content Editor for WeAreTheCity. She has a BA Honours degree in Journalism and History from the University of Portsmouth. She has previously worked in the marketing sector and in a copywriting role. Alison’s other passions and hobbies include writing, blogging and travelling.
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