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

Judiciary (Women)

Question: Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that 59 per cent. of law graduates are women, yet we end up with the figures that she has just cited? What can we do during that process to stop that drain of women law graduates, so that they can reach the highest positions?

Answer: My hon. Friend makes a very important point. More women are going into the legal profession, but they do not necessary rise up the profession, partly because the way the Bar works is very difficult to combine with family responsibilities. The solicitors’ profession has the same problem with women going into the profession but not necessarily rising to partnership. It is not just a question of the numbers, but of where women are in the system and ensuring that they can contribute at all levels of the legal profession.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 446 c162
Session: 2005-06
Oral question type: Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: Women Judiciary Career development Judges Flexible working Staff Part-time employment Job sharing Career breaks
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk