Equal Treatment Advisory Committee

The function of ETAC is to assist and support all judges and judicial office-holders to fulfil the obligations of the judicial oath by being equipped to recognise the many ways in which social, cultural and other differences may have a bearing on the conduct of cases and the wider judicial role. The committee does this by:

• Ensuring the integration of diversity and fair treatment issues into relevant aspects of JSB training
• Providing and contributing to training and materials, including the Equal Treatment. Bench Book, to support all judges and judicial office-holders in ensuring fair treatment and increasing their knowledge and understanding of their local communities.
• Acting as a referral point for judicial inquiries or concerns, within its terms of reference.
• Advising the JSB and its committees on all issues within its terms of reference.

The committee currently consists of one High Court judge, five circuit judges, one district judge, one district judge (magistrates’ court), one senior immigration judge from the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal, three barristers, one solicitor, one academic, one broadcaster, writer and specialist tribunals member, one experienced trainer, and two magistrates.