Thursday 22 November 2012

The only solicitor High Court judge is to visit legal firms to find out why the number of solicitors applying for judicial appointment is so 'disappointingly low', in a bid to improve diversity.

Mr Justice Hickinbottom, who is also joint senior liaison judge for diversity, will begin his investigation next year by going to firms that signed the Law Society's statement of commitment to the promotion of solicitor appointments.

Hickinbottom said: 'I hope that, by visiting firms and discussing the issue with them, I will be able to identify specific problems individual solicitors face in becoming judges.'