Steps forward for women’s representation following appointment of new justice of UK Supreme Court

Reading time: one minute

Dame Ingrid Simler has become a justice of the UK Supreme Court, following Lord Kitchin’s retirement. Simler is the fifth woman to hold this role since 2009, when the court was set up in its current format, and was sworn in as a new justice of the UK Supreme Court last week. Nick Emmerson, Law Society president, believes this selection is an important step forward for “women’s representation within the judiciary”.

King Charles appointed Simler on 17 October, after considering the recommendations of an independent selection commission. Her appointment follows 10 years’ experience as a High Court judge and 35 years working as a barrister. In the past, the Law Society has criticised the lack of diversity within the judiciary, calling for the “selection process to be urgently reformed”. According to the UK Ministry of Justice, as of October, 42% of judges were women and only 11% of judges were from ethnic minority backgrounds, which is even lower than the proportion of barristers and solicitors from ethnic minority groups.

Emmerson comments that Simler’s appointment “is a sign that times are continuing to change”. Lord Reed, president of the Supreme Court, said Simler would “bring exceptional experience and ability to the court following a distinguished career as a barrister and judge. Her experience in employment, tax, public and criminal law will be highly valuable to the Supreme Court and further strengthen us as a world-leading court”.