The Judiciary

Question 1

Reformed role of the Lord Chancellor

Answer 1

No longer also the Speaker in the House of Lords
No longer head of the judiciary

Question 2

Creation of the Supreme Court

Answer 2

Replaced the Appellate Committee of the House of Lords as highest appeal court
SC judges can no longer sit in the House of Lords as members of Parliament

Question 3

Created Judicial Appointments Commission

Answer 3

Removed appointment by the monarch on advice of the Lord Chancellor

Question 4

Security of tenure

Answer 4

• Can not be sacked by the government
• Both Houses of Parliament must present a petition to the Monarch

Question 5

Immunity from suit

Answer 5

Can not be tried for a criminal offence for acts carried out in performance of their judicial duties

Question 6

Independence from the Executive

Answer 6

Constitutional Reform Act 2005: guaranteed judicial independence under s.3: Lord Chancellor must uphold continued independence of the judiciary;

Question 7

Independence from the Legislature

Answer 7

• Judges are not involved in law-making. That is the job of the MPs and the Lords in Parliament

Question 8

Independence from the case

Answer 8

this case confirmed that judges must not hear or try any case in which they have an interest in the issues involved to prevent bias in decision making

Question 9

Judicial review: independence in action

Answer 9

judges can be asked to review - check - a decision taken by a public body (anything to do with the government)