Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Kate Osamor and Ellie Reeves

Thursday 18th December 2025 Commons Chamber

[The Solicitor General]

My hon. Friend is a strong advocate for tackling violence against women and girls in his constituency and beyond. He is right that we need to see swifter justice, which is why we are investing in the criminal courts with £500 million extra funding to support victims, 5,000 more sitting days and a package of support and reform to ensure that these cases get to court quickly so that justice can be served.

[Kate Osamor (Edmonton and Winchmore Hill) (Lab/Co-op)]

5. What steps she is taking to help to improve levels of diversity in legal professions.

[The Solicitor General]

I am sure my hon. Friend will agree that a fair and just legal system, which must work for everyone, must also reflect society as a whole. The Government Legal Department has expanded early career routes and is running a national law placement scheme for students from deprived backgrounds. The Crown Prosecution Service runs initiatives such as the Anthony Walker bursary scheme, which supports students from minority backgrounds and provides legal work experience for black undergraduates and graduates.

[Kate Osamor]

I thank the Solicitor General for her response; I know she has done a lot of work in this area. I need to read out a quotation in the Chamber from the Lammy review:

“A fundamental source of mistrust”

in the criminal justice system among black, Asian and minority ethnic communities

“is the lack of diversity among those who wield power within it.”

What impact will the proposed judge-only trials and the empowering of legal professionals have on the trust of under-represented groups in our legal system?

[The Solicitor General]

My hon. Friend makes an important point. It is vital that the judiciary and the legal profession continue to reflect the society they serve. We are working to bring in new and diverse magistrates over the next 12 months and will continue to recruit. It is vital that our judicial benches reflect the communities we serve. Judges swear a judicial oath to act without fear or favour, which is a cornerstone of our justice system.