LONDON, May 22 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:

* Major Government and judicialinitiativeto help recruit morejudges fromdiversebackgrounds * Expansion in broadcasting of sentencing remarks to be agreed to strengthen transparency * Part of drive to improve public confidence in criminal justice system

Amajor newinitiativelaunchedyesterday(Thursday 21 May)willhelpbreak down barriers and deliver a judiciary that reflects modern Britain.

ThenewJudicial and Legal Diversity Boardwill bring together senior legal figures tohelpremovebarriersholding talentedethnicminorityand other diversecandidates backby improving pathways for progression.

Building on the success of recentrecruitmentdrives - which have increased the proportion of female judges to 44 per cent - theBoard, chaired by theLord Chancellorand the Lady Chief Justice,metfor the first timeyesterday.

As part of its programme to improve representation, the Board will work with Black and other minority legal professionals, including those from working‑class backgrounds, to strengthen mentoring and support. Itwill also continue efforts tomake a judicial career more accessible for those in other legal roles, such as solicitors.

In a major boost for transparency and open justice,the Governmentandthe judiciary havealso agreed to allow sentencing remarks by the Chief Magistrate to be broadcast live for the first time.

Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy said:

Thisnewboardis a huge stepforwardas the Lady Chief Justice and Ilooktobreak downbarriersandbacktalent fromallwalksoflife- continuing to driverealprogress towards a judiciarythat'sreflectiveof modernBritain.

We are also modernising our courts to deliver more transparentjustice,by expandingbroadcasting and bringing the work of our justice system closer to the public than ever before.

In addition to agreeing to the broadcasting of sentencing remarks by the Chief Magistrate, filming will also be allowed in the Administrative Court for the first time, bringing the justice system closer to the public.

TheLady ChiefJustice and theDeputy PrimeMinisterhavealsoagreedtoestablisha joint working group to explorehow courtbroadcasting canbe expandedfurther.

These changes in broadcasting willprovidethe public with greater insight into how justice is delivered acrossEnglandand Wales.

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