Sophie Toms became a judge at the age of 36. Already a partner at a South Wales law firm, she was successful the first time she applied to sit on the bench.
As a deputy district judge, she hears criminal cases in magistrates courts on her own, usually 25-30 days a year. She still also practises as a legal aid solicitor.
Now 39, she recognises she is part of the changing face of the judiciary. “When I was appointed,” she explained, “there were one or two others who were even younger than me.
“People don’t react differently to me because I am a woman or young. Benches of magistrates are becoming younger and come from more diverse backgrounds. People have become used to it over time.
“I wanted a challenge and a new experience. I had been practising in magistrates courts since 2001. I’d met a few judges who were very encouraging and advised me how to apply. I also did a lot of research.
“There’s a host of information on the Judicial Appointments Commission website: case studies and online presentations. I didn’t expect to be appointed the first time.”
Toms is not from a privileged background. She attended a local comprehensive in Caerleon, north of Newport, took a Higher National Diploma in legal studies before finishing a law degree at the University of Glamorgan in Pontypridd.
Being a judge is about “having the authority to deal with people,” she explained. “Having worked in the criminal justice system for 15 years, I have grown into having confidence. Women often have a confidence problem. Perhaps that’s why there are not as many women in the judiciary as there should be.”
She hopes more female lawyers will apply to become judges. “There are a lot of people doing a good job trying to energise those from underrepresented groups to apply,” Toms said. “I went to a meeting last year addressed by Lady Justice Hallett [an appeal court judge]. The message is getting out. Appointments are made solely on merit.”
Changes to allow part-time working for judges have also helped women with families take on judicial roles, Toms added. Those interested in judicial office can also apply to do a work shadowing scheme – sitting on the bench alongside the judge to gain insight into the experience.
“It’s a different perspective sitting up there to sitting down in the well of the court,” Toms added. “You get a chance to talk about the issues.”
She accepts that she may, one day, want to climb higher up the judicial ladder but believes her experience on the bench benefits her her law firm in the meantime.
Another former partner in the firm, David Parsons, has already progressed to being a full-time district judge.
One factor regularly blamed for holding back the progress of women is the reluctance of commercial City firms to release partners so that they can develop expertise and move on to the bench.
“My firm recognises it’s an advantage to their practice,” Toms, who works for HPJV solicitors in Newport, said. “My appointment group in 2012 was a good mix. Male and female, people from different backgrounds and BME. There’s been a huge effort to encourage these people to apply.”
