Amongst the papers on my desk a somewhat out-of-date clipping emerges and I remember to blog! Back in April the Judges of England and Wales made their debut into 21st Century cyberspace with a new website aimed at casting off the dusty old image and putting the judiciary back in touch with ordinary peoples lives. The website includes a range of learning tools - a myth busting quiz to help dispel fallacies about who our judges are and what they do, a lifeline to show under what kind of circumstances Joe X might find himself in touch with the judicial system throughout his life, and yet another quiz to test your perception of crime as it stacks up against the reality. It also includes a court dress section that differentiates the big wigs from the small, and the tippets from the bands, and explains that once upon a time a these sorts of outfit were deemed 'essential fashionable attire for polite society'. And in case yoU're thinking of getting in touch, it gives a handy matrix explaining when it is best to use 'My Lord or My Lady' and when to stick with the more formal address. According to the clipping in question (The Guardian 3 April 2006) the judiciary were shocked to discover the widespread perception of judges as old (and white and male) and reflecting the the values and biases of a priviledged elite.

CATEGORY: CITIZENSHIP