Despite comprising 45% of the region’s general population, only 23% of magistrates in the West Midlands are from a racialised background.

We're particularly keen for those who are current or former magistrates and those who are interested in becoming a magistrate to attend the roundtable, as we want to hear discussions and thoughts from both on the importance of racial diversity and insights on how to improve this.

Some of the questions we will be addressing during the roundtable include:

What are the current challenges and barriers to greater diversity within the magistrates' system? Both actual and perceived.
What can the magistrates' system do to better retain and support diversity?
What would greater racial diversity in the magistrates mean in practice? What material benefits could it bring?
How could we better promote magistrate vacancies to underrepresentence and marginalised communities?

The roundtables objectives are to:

Identify the current barriers and challenges to diversity in the magistrates' system
Share current best practice and new ideas as to how diversity can be improved
Inform attendees about the upcoming Civic Leadership opportunities fair
Offer an opportunity for attendees to connect, network and share ideas

The findings of the roundtable discussion will play an important role in informing how the WMCA's conducts future projects focusing on diversity in civic leadership more broadly.

If you have any further questions or concerns, please email questions@wmca.org.uk

NB. This will be a catered event, all food will be either vegetarian or vegan.

Civic Leadership Roundtable: Magistrates