British Judiciary: The Composition Of The Judiciary And The Appointment Process Flashcards
How many senior justices sit on the UK Supreme Court?
12
When did the UK Supreme Court open?
October 2009
What was the highest level judiciary before the Supreme Court in the UK?
Law Lords, that used to be part of the House Of Lords
Who used to make appointments to all positions in the senior judiciary?
The Monarch on the advise of the prime minister and the Lord Chancellor with the Lord Chancellor making their ‘picks’ on the basis of ‘secret soundings’
What was the criticisms of the old appointment of positions in the senior judiciary?
It lacked transparency, undermined the separation of powers and resulted in a senior judiciary drawn exclusively from a very narrow social circle
What act created the Supreme Court and changed the appointment process of those in the senior judiciary?
The Constitutional Reform Act 2005
How are appointments made to senior judicial appointments now?
The JAC makes an suggestion to the Lord Chancellor who has a convention to accept the candidate with the appointment being confirmed by the monarch
What does the JAC stand for?
Judicial Appointment Committee
What are the conditions for candidates for the UK Supreme Court have to met?
Candidates must of held high judicial office for at least 2 years ir even a ‘qualifying practitioner’ for a period of over 15 years
How many Supreme Court members did not go to Oxford or Cambridge University?
1 (Lord Stephens went to Manchester)
How Many Supreme Court members did not go to a ‘independent’ school?
3 (2 to a state grammar, 1 to a state comprehensive)
