Research completed by Queen’s for the Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission (NIJAC) has resulted significant and demonstrable changes to the judicial appointments process, impacting directly on the diversity of the judiciary in Northern Ireland.
Research Challenge
Gender Inequality in Northern Ireland Judiciary System
The Northern Ireland Judiciary was established in 1921. Since then, its membership has been heavily overrepresented by men.
In 2012 only 22.2% of judges in Northern Ireland in were women.
Our Approach
A Roadmap for Change
The research conducted at Queen’s provided both the evidence base confirming the need for change, as well as a strategic road map to achieve that change by recommending specific improvements to the appointment process to make the judiciary more reflective of the community in Northern Ireland.
The research mapped out:
(a) ways to increase the representation of women
(b) how to encourage applications from younger candidates, solicitors and appropriately qualified candidates in public service and the voluntary sectors, and
(c) how to overcome difficulties which the research had confirmed regarding recruitment to the High Court, emphasizing the importance of developing a “judicial career” that encourages movement from one tier to the next, in particular from the County Court to the High Court.
"This research has informed and underpinned every major policy decision affecting judicial appointments, should that be in outreach, assessment and selection, working arrangements and influencing others such as the legal professional bodies and serving judiciary.”
- NIJAC’s Head of Diversity
What impact did it make?
Changing operational policies and practices for the better
The research has resulted in significant and demonstrable changes in the diversity of the judiciary in Northern Ireland through far-reaching and on-going impact on NIJAC’s operational policies and informed practical changes.
Overall, the Chief Executive of NIJAC concluded that the research had “undoubtedly contributed hugely to ensuring that policy within NIJAC is developed from a strong research base, and the changing profile of the judiciary at all levels is testimony to the effectiveness of Queen’s University analysis of the both the issues and the ways forward in ensuring that there is a reflective judiciary in Northern Ireland’
The changes that have been implemented as a result of this research have had a positive impact in serval areas, including improving NIJAC’s internal practices, strengthening NIJAC’s relations with wider legal professions, improving the organisation’s relations with the wider public and helping to create a more reflective judiciary.
Our impact
Impact related to the UN Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Queen’s University’s commitment to nurturing a culture of sustainability and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through research and education.
