§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Attorney-General to what extent race awareness is a component of the education and training of(a) judges, (b) barristers and (c) solicitors.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe Judicial Studies Board is responsible for training judges, recorders, registrars and stipendiary magistrates and for supervising the training of the lay magistracy. Since racial awareness is considered to be an important element in ensuring that all members of the judiciary act impartially, the Judicial Studies Board has commissioned an information pack on ethnic570W minorities. The revised syllabus set out in "Handbook For the Training of Magistrates", published by the board earlier this year and approved by the Lord Chancellor, requires newly appointed magistrates to be given instruction in
awareness of the different ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds of those with whom they may have to deal as defendants or witnesses".Moreover, those who attend the board's courses are reminded to be alert for any example of racial discrimination in anyone who appears in court.
The education and training of barristers and solicitors is a matter for the professional bodies concerned. Race awareness is a component of the education and training of both barristers and solicitors. It is not covered as a separate topic but features in certain compulsory subject study areas.