Ministers have launched a new scheme aimed at giving people from ethnic minority backgrounds a chance to see the inner workings of the magistrates court system.

Under the Magistrates Shadowing Scheme, nearly 100 people from black and minority ethnic communities will each shadow two mentor magistrates for a six-month period, observing court proceedings and the decision-making process.

Run jointly by the Department for Constitutional Affairs and Operation Black Vote, the scheme has been extended to 12 areas including London, Merseyside, Birmingham, Oxford and Bradford after pilots in seven regions.

"London is a rich mix of cultures and it is only just that this should be reflected in all aspects of life, including the judiciary," said civil justice minister David Lammy.

"The scheme has brought greater awareness of the work of the lay magistracy among people from minority ethnic groups and helped promote more understanding of the BME communities among the magistrates.

"This success will inevitably result over time in more magistrates from a wider diversity serving the needs of members from all communities.  It will ensure that the magistracy reflects the people it serves and forms a stronger link with the community it adjudicates over.  This contributes to making it more relevant to the 21st century."

His comments were echoed by Simon Woolley, national coordinator of Operation Black Vote.

"This shadowing scheme is a ground-breaking project working towards a more equitable and inclusive civil society," he said.

"Our communities must play a full and positive role within the judiciary if they are to have confidence in the system.

"OBV is convinced that a shadowing/mentoring scheme with magistrates will be as successful as its MP shadowing scheme has been for the UK's African, Asian, Caribbean and other ethnic minorities.

"The scheme will give first hand experience of how a magistrates' court operates and what a magistrate actually does.  We wish those involved to be community ambassadors, explaining and promoting the role of magistrates and the courts in which they work.

"It is also aimed at giving magistrates the opportunity to gain a greater understanding of minority ethnic communities."