Topic 5: The Judiciary

Question 1

Name all the superior judges

Answer 1

Justices of the Supreme Court
Lord justices of appeal
High court judges

Question 2

Name all inferior judges

Answer 2

Circuit judges
Recorders
Magistrates
District judges

Question 3

What are he 5 desirable qualities of Judges?

Answer 3

1) Intellectual capacity
2) personal qualities
3) ability to understand and deal with cases
4) authority & communication skills
5) efficiency

Question 4

What is the selection process of judges?

Answer 4

Position is advertised
The JAC run road shows explaining the selection process
The candidate is asked to write an essay
They interview the candidates
JAC make final selections
Passed on to the lord chancellor (can reject)
Then to the Queen for official appointment

Question 5

What training to inferior judges have?

Answer 5

2 weeks - one week course, one week shadowing

COMPULSORY

Question 6

What training do superior judges have?

Answer 6

1 day - updated legislation

OPTIONAL

Question 7

What are the criticisms of training?

Answer 7

Too short
May have never experienced summing-up/Sentencing an offender
No training on civil courts
No compulsory training

Question 8

Ethnic minorities & women

Answer 8

Same as Solicitors & Barristers

Question 9

What is tenure?

Answer 9

To be permanently appointed to a post/position

Question 10

What are the separation of powers?

Answer 10

The executive
The legislature
The judiciary

Question 11

Independence of the judiciary

Answer 11

Independence from the legislature
Independence from the executive
Freedom from pressure
Independence from political bias
Anti-Government decisions
Independence from cases they try