Key facts
- Barrister Stephen Akinsanya was prevented from parking in a court car park by a security guard.
- The guard told Akinsanya the car park was "not for defendants."
- Akinsanya, an OBE recipient, stated the incident reflects ongoing racism in the criminal justice system.
- He noted that despite changes, a perception persists that Black individuals are more likely to be defendants than lawyers.
- Judicial diversity statistics show a slow increase in the proportion of Black judges in England and Wales.
A Black barrister, Stephen Akinsanya, has recounted an incident where a security guard at an east London court car park told him he could not park there because it was "not for defendants." Akinsanya, who received an OBE for his work raising awareness of youth knife crime, stated that the event, which occurred about four weeks prior, highlighted the persistent lack of progress regarding racism within the criminal justice system.
Recalling a similar experience from when he first qualified in 1993, Akinsanya noted the irony of being asked by a security guard which trial he was on, rather than being recognized as legal counsel. He expressed disbelief that, 33 years later, he was still being prejudged, especially as he was wearing his barrister's attire. After challenging the guard, who became embarrassed, the barrier was raised, allowing him to park.
Akinsanya shared this experience on a Criminal Bar Association podcast titled “Being Black in Criminal Justice – Is the Profession Racist.” Keir Monteith KC, also featured on the podcast, corroborated that many legal professionals have faced similar situations early in their careers, though he personally has not recently due to his status as a KC.
The incident echoes past apologies made by the courts service in 2020 to two Black barristers who were repeatedly mistaken for defendants. Akinsanya observed that while more individuals from diverse backgrounds are entering the legal profession, the perception remains that Black individuals are more likely to be defendants than lawyers. He questioned why such issues persist in the 21st century and linked it to the broader conversation about the lack of Black judges.
Judicial diversity statistics released recently indicate that the proportion of Black judges has seen minimal change over the past decade, increasing from 1.4% to 1.6%. Out of 5,337 judges, only 79 are Black, with just one senior Black court judge, Mrs Justice Margaret Obi. Akinsanya suggested that targets for increasing representation and an accountable body to monitor progress are necessary. Laurie Anne-Power KC emphasized the need for an oversight and scrutiny board to analyze judicial appointment processes and identify disparities between white and Black applicants' outcomes.