The House of Lords Select Committee on the Constitution said salaries, working conditions and other factors had made the role unattractive.

The peers said it was critical for bright and able candidates to seek and retain judicial jobs if the British legal system was to maintain its standards.

“Unfortunately we have found that a number of factors have damaged judicial morale and the attractiveness of judicial office,” warned the Judicial Appointments Follow-up report.

“We are seriously concerned about difficulties of recruitment, particularly to the High Court.”
The report said pay was one problem in the battle to recruit top quality judges.

“We heard that the difference in remuneration between a legal career in the public sector and private practice remained a significant issue affecting the recruitment of new judges and the retention of serving judges.” 

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