The JAC is an independent commission that selects candidates through fair and open competition for judicial office in courts and tribunals in England and Wales, and for some tribunals with a UK-wide jurisdiction.

In 2022, District Judge Ikram was awarded a CBE for services to judicial diversity. He was appointed the Deputy Senior District Judge (Chief Magistrate) in 2017 and is authorised to hear extradition and terrorism cases. He became a district judge (magistrates’ court) in 2009 and in 2004 he was appointed Deputy Lead Diversity & Community Relations Judge where he leads 150 judges engaged in diversity work.

District Judge Ikram was called to the bar in 1990 and later practised as a solicitor specialising in fraud, serious and complex crime. He has been a legal assessor to the Nursing and Midwifery Council Professional Conduct Committee and served as the President of the London Criminal Courts Solicitors’ Association.

I am humbled to be appointed to the Commission. Identifying and recommending the best candidates means looking widely. I am proud of my association with UWL which shares my vision of widening access and promoting diversity so that opportunity is for all, not just the few,”

said District Judge Ikram.

Head of UWL’s SoL, Philip Ells, commented:

We are delighted at District Judge Ikram’s new appointment. He has, for many years, been a great supporter of the School and is an inspiration to our students.”

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