An Asian Bradford magistrate today welcomed plans for a national "proactive" campaign to boost the number of ethnic minorities in high-ranking judicial jobs.

Under the proposed scheme, black and Asian lawyers could be head-hunted by the Government to apply for jobs on the bench, the Lord Chancellor has announced.

And Bary Malik JP said it would help reflect the country's diverse population.

"It sounds like a good idea and this should be encouraged in all areas, including the police and public services," he said.

"But to address the balance we should ensure that standards are maintained.

"Every day we see very high calibre people from these backgrounds and they should be given the same chances as their colleagues.

"This campaign is a very good step forward and there is a definite need for this action within the judicial system to help ensure it keeps its very high standards."

The Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer of Thoroton QC, announced he is considering introducing new measures which would include asking organisations such as the Society of Black Lawyers to draw up a "wish-list" of candidates.

"The Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA) would then write to those potential candidates informing them their name has been put forward and providing them with information about the application process," said a DCA spokesman.

"The head-hunting we are proposing is to be conducted in an entirely fair and open way."

If the plan goes ahead, it will be the first time specific minorities have been targeted to increase their numbers in the judiciary.

Head-hunted candidates who decide to apply will not receive preferential treatment and decisions will still be based on merit, said the spokesman, while selection panels will not be told which applicants were originally head-hunted.

Currently, less than four per cent of judges are from ethnic minorities and 16 per cent are women.

Lord Falconer also announced that legally-qualified magistrates could be fast-tracked to the higher judiciary for the first time.

Academic lawyers, legal executives and others in the field may also become eligible to apply for judicial office under the plans.

In another significant move, judges could be allowed to return to private practice if they became dissatisfied with life on the bench.