Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Barbara Follett (Labour). It was answered by Baroness Harman (Labour) on Tuesday, 9 May 2006 on behalf of the Department for Constitutional Affairs.

Judiciary (Women)

Question: What measures are being taken to increase the number of women working in the judiciary.

Answer: The steps that we have taken to increase the number of women judges include changing the application rules, so that women who would make excellent judges but are newer into the legal profession can apply; allowing judges to sit part time, to attract into the judiciary women with family responsibilities; and allowing career breaks, again, to help women with family responsibilities. We have appointed two women judges to a job share, as district judges in Essex.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 68815; 446 c161
Session: 2005-06
Oral question type: Lead
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: Career development Women Judiciary Judges Flexible working Staff Part-time employment Job sharing Career breaks
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk