This newsletter is a round-up of our first months as an organisation, our key events, recent appointments and upcoming events in 2026.
UKABJ Launch
July 1st 2025
The UK Association of Black Judges (UKABJ) was officially launched at a landmark event hosted by the Supreme Court, with participation from Black Judges and senior Black lawyers across England and Wales, including retired members of the judiciary. The event featured strong messages of support from Lord Leggatt, the Lady Chief Justice Baroness Carr, and Lady Justice Whipple.
The Judicial diversity statistics 2024-2025, published on 3 July 2025, show that Black representation among applicants was higher than it was in the eligible pool but dropped at the shortlisting and recommendation for appointment stages. There has been a gradual increase in the representation of ethnic minorities in the legal professions and judiciary; however, the proportion of Black judges has remained the same, at around 1%.
The primary aim of the Association is to see a marked improvement in the numbers of black judges being appointed to better reflect the ethnicity of the working age population of England & Wales, the people that we serve daily and bring about a judiciary that is inclusive and welcoming.
Since the launch, the steering group have met with the Head of Diversity, Engagement and Communications at the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) and others from their research and policy teams. We gained insight and explored the data to identify the barriers to entry in the appointment process and discussed how we might support each other’s work towards judicial diversity. Others have reached out offering collaboration, and we are currently exploring all opportunities, including mentoring and sponsorship.
We are currently developing an action plan and speaking with stakeholders. More information will follow in the new year.
Congratulations
We were enormously pleased and proud to be present at the Royal Courts of Justice on 13 October 2025 to witness the swearing in of The Honourable Ms Justice Margaret Obi, assigned to the King’s Bench Division, This was followed by a reception held by the Law Society of England & Wales, to further recognise her achievement as one of only 8 current High Court Judges who are former Solicitors.
Recent appointments
George Lubega and Beatrice Prevatt appointed as Circuit Judges, deployed to the Midlands Circuit and South Eastern Circuit respectively, Kishma Baloji, Olutoyin Malomo and Elaine Radway as fee-paid Judges of the First Tier Tribunal and Joy Hopkinson, Catherine Greenwood and Melissa Bennett Harrison as Deputy District Judges.
We wish them all the best in their new roles.
UKABJ steering group members all take part in various training and other initiatives throughout the year and individually are members of boards, committees, working parties and organisations that are committed to advancing diversity and inclusion within the judiciary and the wider legal profession.
At the Black Solicitors Network (BSN) 30th Anniversary Ball on 19th November, First Tier Tribunal Judge (sitting in retirement), Cordella Bart-Stewart OBE, a co-founder of BSN and Law Society Council member, was honoured to receive a Special Recognition Legacy Award for “three decades of trailblazing leadership, unwavering advocacy, and enduring impact”.
Jacqueline Devonish, Senior Coroner for the County of Cheshire, was honoured to receive an Honorary Doctor of Law from the University of Chester in November 2025, recognising her achievements as a Senior Coroner and her commitment to community engagement
Her Honour Judge Leona Harrison, Financial Remedies Court Regional Lead Judge and a Diversity & Community Relations Judge, was appointed as a Governing Bencher of Middle Temple, and Her Honour Judge Margo Boye was appointed as a Governing Bencher of Inner Temple.
Ifey Munonyedi, First Tier Tribunal Judge and the Family Court, is a member of the Senior President of Tribunals Task Force. With other members of the Task Force, she designed the First Race Survey of Ethnic Minority Tribunal Judges, the results of which are currently being analysed.
Well wishes
Thank you to all those who have signed up as members. We want to meet with you and share your experiences. We plan to hold an in-person event at the Guildhall London on 20 February 2026, Manchester in April and Birmingham in June. Further details will follow soon.
We hope you enjoyed this brief roundup of activity. We welcome volunteers, sponsors and suggestions for events. Let us know where we can assist, and please share details of relevant events that we can share with our members. Do also let us know of any recent appointments so that we can include them in the next newsletter.
Contact us at ukabj@ejudiciary.net
Wishing you a joyful and peaceful holiday season