“Jack Straw has ditched controversial reforms that would have allowed judges, including former Lord Chancellors, to go back to work as lawyers after a stint on the bench.”
The Times, 6th November 2007
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
“The convention that former judges cannot return to practice as barristers or solicitors will remain, following a government consultation.”
Ministry of Justice, 5th November 2007
Source: www.justice.gov.uk
“Senior judges could be questioned by MPs under plans outlined by ministers yesterday to reform the way judges are chosen.”
The Times, 26th October 2007
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
“This consultation seeks views on the arrangements for making judicial appointments, and in particular on whether the residual role of the executive in judicial appointments should be further reduced. This consultation follows on from ‘The Governance of Britain’ green paper.”
The Ministry of Justice, 25th October 2007
Source: www.justice.gov.uk
“A paper on the accountability of the Judiciary and guidance to the Judiciary on appearing before select committees.”
Judiciary of England and Wales, 18th October 2007
Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk
“Lecture by Mrs Justice Dobbs at Queen Mary, University of London.”
Judiciary of England and Wales, 18th October 2007
Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk
“Britain’s only black High Court judge last night condemned the ‘woefully slow’ rate of progress over opening up the judiciary to non-white candidates.”
The Times, 18th October 2007
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
“Jack Straw is to shake up the new system for appointing judges because of ‘concern at every level of the judiciary’ about delays and bureaucracy.”
The Times, 11th October 2007
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
“The isolation of life on the bench and the lack of any form of frank feedback — good or bad — is well known. One solution to this state of affairs would be to allow the judiciary to get feedback from other sources than the press. Legal magazines have in the past been criticised for publishing feedback surveys on judges. The reaction of the judges themselves to these surveys has reportedly been mixed, ranging from fury to a genuine interest to learn from the feedback, however harsh.”
Legal Week, 4th October 2007
Source: www.legalweek.com
“Many professionals – including City law firm partners – now face performance assessments by their peers. Some judges think they should have them, too.”
The Times, 27th September 2007
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
“The Lord Chief Justice Lord Phillips has called on the Government to stay away from the selection of judges in the wake of ‘The Governance of Britain’ green paper published by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ).”
The Lawyer, 17th September 2007
Source: www.thelawyer.com
“Judges face having their performance in court assessed under plans to ensure that their skills in handling cases are up to scratch and that they treat people fairly and courteously.”
The Times, 17th September 2007
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
“The goal of the Judicial Appointments Commission – led by Baroness Usha Prashar – was to create a fairer recruitment process for the judiciary. But has much changed?”
Law Society’s Gazette, 13th September 2007
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
“Britain’s most senior judge has strongly opposed any move towards American-style selection of judges involving Parliament. ”
The Times, 13th September 2007
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
“Speech by Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers, Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales at the Commonwealth Law Conference 2007, Nairobi, Kenya.”
Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers, Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales , 12th September 2007
Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk
“The judiciary is set for an overhaul, with the control of seven posts changing hands.”
The Lawyer, 27th July 2007
Source: www.thelawyer.com
“A group of the UK’s most influential barristers has severely criticised the Labour Government’s treatment of the UK legal system over the past ten years.”
The Times, 27th July 2007
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
“The judiciary is an independent arm of the state and is fundamental to the rule of law. It is not a privilege for the judiciary but is an essential requirement for every citizen to ensure the fair and impartial resolution of disputes. The administrative system that supports the judiciary underpins that independence. Judicial independence cannot exist on its own – judges must have the loyal staff, buildings and equipment to support the exercise of the independent judicial function”
Evidence of the Lord Chief Justice
Constitutional Affairs Select Committee, 22nd May 2007
Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk
“Diversity in the lower tiers of the judiciary has improved significantly in the past five years. But as a whole the judiciary is struggling to reflect the demographics of society.”
The Times, 24th April 2007
Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
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