The Constitutional Reform Act 2005
The Constitutional Reform Act 2005
For the first time in almost 900 years, judicial independence is now officially enshrined in law.
The key changes brought in by the act include: * A duty on government ministers to uphold the independence of the judiciary, barring them from trying to influence judicial decisions through any special access to judges * Reform of the post of Lord Chancellor, transferring his judicial functions to the President of the Courts of England and Wales – a new title given to the Lord Chief Justice. The Lord Chief Justice is now responsible for the training, guidance and deployment of judges and represents the views of the judiciary of England and Wales to Parliament and ministers * An independent Supreme Court has been established, separate from the House of Lords and with its own independent appointments system, staff, budget and building * An independent Judicial Appointments Commission, responsible for selecting candidates to recommend for judicial appointment to the Secretary of State for Justice. The Judicial Appointments Commission ensures that merit remains the sole criterion for appointment and the appointments system is modern, open and transparent * An Judicial Appointments and Conduct Ombudsman, responsible for investigating and making recommendations concerning complaints about the judicial appointments process, and the handling of judicial conduct complaints within the scope of the Constitutional Reform Act.
What has not changed is the way judgments are made or given; after all, judges have been independent in the way they work for centuries.
The real differences are in the day-to-day management of the judiciary, the way judges are appointed and the way complaints are dealt with. These are now truly independent, to enhance accountability, public confidence and effectiveness.
What have been the criticisms of the selection process for the senior judiciary in England & Wales and it is likely that the
For the first time in almost 900 years, judicial independence is now officially enshrined in law.
The key changes brought in by the act include: * A duty on government ministers to uphold the independence of the judiciary, barring them from trying to influence judicial decisions through any special access to judges * Reform of the post of Lord Chancellor, transferring his judicial functions to the President of the Courts of England and Wales – a new title given to the Lord Chief Justice. The Lord Chief Justice is now responsible for the training, guidance and deployment of judges and represents the views of the judiciary of England and Wales to Parliament and ministers * An independent Supreme Court has been established, separate from the House of Lords and with its own independent appointments system, staff, budget and building * An independent Judicial Appointments Commission, responsible for selecting candidates to recommend for judicial appointment to the Secretary of State for Justice. The Judicial Appointments Commission ensures that merit remains the sole criterion for appointment and the appointments system is modern, open and transparent * An Judicial Appointments and Conduct Ombudsman, responsible for investigating and making recommendations concerning complaints about the judicial appointments process, and the handling of judicial conduct complaints within the scope of the Constitutional Reform Act.
What has not changed is the way judgments are made or given; after all, judges have been independent in the way they work for centuries.
The real differences are in the day-to-day management of the judiciary, the way judges are appointed and the way complaints are dealt with. These are now truly independent, to enhance accountability, public confidence and effectiveness.
What have been the criticisms of the selection process for the senior judiciary in England & Wales and it is likely that the