By Catherine Baksi2021-02-24T15:49:00+00:00
Judges have been told to show sensitivity to witnesses and defendants who are experiencing menopausal symptoms and ensure courtrooms are ventilated and women have cold water and access to lavatories.
A revised version of the Equal Treatment Bench Book, published by the Judicial College today, tells judges that despite increased publicity over the last couple of years, the menopause often remains a taboo subject in the workplace. According to the latest published statistics, only 32% of court judges are women.
The guidance tells judges: The length and intensity of symptoms vary between women from very mild to very significant, so no assumptions should be made based solely on someone’s age.