UK Judiciary (L13) Flashcards
Which Act changed the process of judicial appointments?
Constitutional Reform Act 2005.
Purpose of this Act in this particular instance was to reduce the role government ministers play in judicial appointments.
How has the role of Lord Chancellor changed?
Used to play the leading role in appointing judges to the highest court - was a government minister.
LC is no longer responsible for judicial appointments - SEPARATION OF POWERS.
Now job is done by Judicial Appointments Board/Commission.
How is the UK better at keeping an independent government than the US?
E.g. Trump elected the Supreme Court, they rewrote the constitution on abortion laws.
How is the UK weak at keeping an independent judiciary?
People with the most say are existing judges.
Lord President decides who is promoted from CSOH to CSIH, for example.
What is the issue with diversity in the UK judiciary?
Only 1 out of 12 Supreme Court Justices is female.
- E.g. is the lack of female judges because there haven’t been in the past? Keeping things the same they’ve always been. White male judges protecting other white male judges?
Only 5% ethnic minorities.
