The English Legal System - Judiciary (Chapter 5) Flashcards
Translation tenet
Grundsatz
Central tenets of the Judiciary
The principle of judicial jurisprudence and judicial neutrality
How is judicial independence preserved under UK constituion?
1) Sub judice: Parliament does not comment on the cases which are before the court
2) Parliamentary privilege: Members of the Parliament are protected from prosecution in certain circumstances by the courts
Important act to support the independence of the Judiciary
Constitutional Reform Act 2005
How long do Judges remain in their positions?
As long as they are in “good order”, they can stay in their position until they resign or reach the mandatory retirement age of 70
Who decides on judicial pay or salaries?
An independent pay review body, which makes recommendations to the Government. They are usually accepted and fully implemented.
Agency which administrates courts
When was it created?
His Majesty’s Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS)
1 April 2011
One of the main goals of the HMCTS
Citizens receive timely and effective access to justice
HMCTS operates a partnership between which people?
Lord Chancellor
Lord Chief of Justice
Senior President of Tribunals
Who oversees the HMCTS?
A board headed by an independent chair working with non-executive, executive and judicial member.
Historically, before the establishment of the Supreme Court, which was the final court of appeal in the US?
House of Lords
Why was the Supreme Court introduced?
The Labour Government 2001-2005 was concerned that the House of Lords mixed executive, legislative and judicial functions and that it would not be compatible with Art. 6 of the EUHG (right to a fair trial)
Which act introduced the Supreme Court?
Constitutional Reform Act 2005
The Supreme Court focuses on cases of greatest public and … importance
constitutional
The Supreme Court cannot overturn Acts of Parliament, what three options does it have?
It can make declarations of incompatibility under section 4 of HRA
Overturn secondary legislation where it is found to be ultra vires
Interpret and apply the law in accordance with the rules of statutory interpretation
In regard to broadcasting rights, how does the Supreme Court differ from lower courts?
Court sessions can be broadcasted live. In lower courts, it is forbidden.
How are the judges of the Supreme Court called? What are the two exceptions?
How many judges does the Supreme Court need?
Justices, except for the President and Deputy President
At least 12
Who appoints Justices?
A recommendation is made to the Lord Chancellor
The name is sent to the PM
The PM sends it to the King for formal approval
The PM then announces the name
What are the requirements to become a Supreme Court?
A) Held high judicial office (i.e., the High Court, Court of Appeal, Northern Irish High Court or Court of Appeal, or Scottish Court of Session) for at least 2 years
OR
B) been a qualifying practitioner for a period of at least 15 years
A person satisfies the judicial-appointment eligibility condition on a 15-year basis if they have been a solicitor of the senior courts of England and Wales, or barrister in England and Wales, for at least 15 years; and have been gaining experience in law during the post-qualification period.
A person is a qualifying practitioner if they are an advocate in Scotland or a solicitor entitled to appear in the Court of Session and the High Court of Justiciary; or a member of the Bar of Northern Ireland or a solicitor of the Court of Judicature of Northern Ireland.
What is the selection process for a Justices?
Lord Chancellor convenes a selection commission for the selection of a person to be recommended
Once convened, the commission must determine the selection process to be applied, apply the selection process and make a selection accordingly
The commission must consult each of the following_
Senior judges who are not member of the commission and are not willing to be considered for selection
the Lord Chancellor
First Minister in Scotland
Assembly First Secretary in Wales
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
When selecting a Justice, what criteria does the commission have to consider?
Qualification requirements are met
He is not a member of the selection commission
He has knowledge of, experience of, practice in, the law of each part of the UK
How many persons can be selected by the commission at once?
Any selection must be of one person only
Once a selection commission has selected a candidate and made a recommendation to the Lord Chancellor, which options does he have? Does he have to forward the recommendation to the Prime Minister?
No, he has several options.
a) He may notify the Prime Minister of the name of the person selected
b) He may reject the selection on the grounds that, in his opinion, the person selected is not suitable for the office concerned
c) He may require the commission to reconsider its selection where:
1) There is not enough evidence that the person is suitable for the office concerned
2) There is evidence that the person is not the best candidate on merit
3) There is not enough evidence that, if the person were appointed, the Justices of the court would, between them, have knowledge of, and experience and practice in, the law of each part of the United Kingdom
The Lord Chancellor must give the commission reasons, in writing, for rejecting or requiring reconsideration of a selection.
If the Lord Chancellor rejects the selection of a candidate for Justice, what options does the commission have?
None, they cannot appeal against the decision, they have to find another candidate.
What is the maximum term a Justice can serve?
There is no term limit
How can Justices quit their service?
They have to give the Lord Chancellor notice in writing.
How can a Justice be removed from their office?
On the grounds of misconduct
(section 33 of Constitutional Reform Act 2005)
Both Houses of Parliament have to agree
What roles does the Lord Chief Justice play?
Head of Judiciary of England and Wales
Most senior judge in the Criminal Division and the Court of Appeal
Head of Criminal Justice
President of the Courts of England and Wales
Before the Constitutional Reform Act 2005, who held the position of Lord Chief Justice?
Lord Chancellor
What are three of the Lord Chief Justice’s tasks?
Representing the views of the Judiciary of England and Wales to Parliament and Government
The welfare, training, and guidance of Judiciary of England and Wales, the Lord Chief Justice discusses with Government the provision of resources for the Judiciary, which are allotted by the Lord Chancellor
The deployment of Judges and allocation of work in courts in England and Wales
Who is the British sovereign?
King or Queen
Who appoints the Lord Chancellor?
The sovereign on the advice of the prime minister
What is the privy council? Why is it relevant to the Lord Chancellor?
The Privy Council is a formal body of advisers to the sovereign of the United Kingdom. Its membership mainly comprises senior politicians who are current or former members of either the House of Commons or the House of Lords. The Lord Chancellor is a member.
With the Constitutional Reform Act 2005, which two positions were stripped away from the Lord Chancellor?
Presiding Officer of the House of Lords -> Lord Speaker
Head of Judiciary in England and Wales -> Lord Chief Justice
What are the requirements for the Lord Chancellor to be selected?
a) experience as a Minister of the Crown
b) experience as a member of either House of Parliament
c) experience as a qualifying practitioner
d) experience as a teacher of law in a university
e) other experience that the PM considers relevant
How is the role of the Senior President of Tribunals comparable to Lord Chief Justice?
Just like the Lord Chief Justice heads the judiciary in England and Wales, the Senior President of Tribunals heads tribunals judiciary, but not only in England and Wales, also in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Who appoints the Senior President of Tribunals?
What is the requirement?
The sovereign on recommendation of the Lord Chancellor
Selected among ranks from existing Court of Appeal Judges (and equivalent courts in Scotland and Northern Ireland) or through open competition run by the Judicial Appointments Commission
What is the Judicial Appointments Commission? Which positions does the commission provide recommendations for?
Common mistake: Whose selection does the commission NOT provide a recommendation for?
Which act created the commission?
Head of Divisions (5) + Senior President of Tribunal
Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales
Senior President of Tribunal
President of King’s Bench Division
President of Family Division
Master of the Rolls
Chancellor of the High Court
NOT for the Supreme Court
Constitutional Reform Act 2005
The Court of Appeal has a Civil and Criminal Division, who heads these?
Civil: Master of the Rolls Head
Criminal: Lord Chief Justice
Most appeal cases have their final appeal at the Supreme Court or Court of Appeals?
Court of Appeals
Who are the Judges of the Court of Appeal?
The “Heads of Division” plus the Lords Justices of Appeal
Who are the “Heads of Division” at the Court of Appeal’
Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales
Master of Rolls
President f the King’s Bench Division
President of the Family Division
Chancellor of the High Court
The Civil Division of the Court of Appeals hears which appeals?
Appeals from the High Court, County Court and certain tribunals such as the Employment Appeal Tribunal and the Immigration Appeal Tribunal
Who is the head of the Civil Division of the Court of Appeal?
Who hears the cases?
Master of the Rolls
In general, cases are heard by three Judges, consisting of any combination of the Heads of Division and Lord Justices of Appeal
The Criminal Division of the Court of Appeals hears which appeals?
Appeals from the Crown Court
Who is the head of the Criminal Division of the Court of Appeal?
Who hears the cases?
Lord Chief of Justice
In general, cases are heard by three Judges, consisting of the Lord Chief Justice, or the President of the King’s Bench Division, or one of the Lord Justices of Appeal, together with two High Court Judges or one High Court Judge and one specifically nominated Senior Circuit Judge