*/
On the eve of the retirement of their first chairman, Baroness Prashar, on 1 October the Judicial Appointments Commission launched a slender book of essays, Judicial Appointments, Balancing Independence, Accountability and Legitimacy, in which nine highly qualified authors dissect the background, the workings and the challenges of the 21st Century appointments system.
Taking credit where it is due, Lord Mackay of Clashfern points out that he introduced open, advertised competitions with candidates assessed against specific criteria in the mid 1990s and Jonathan Sumption QC reiterates that the Constitutional Reform Act 2006 put on a statutory basis “principles which already govern the recruitment and status of the judiciary”.
The book’s emphasis is on judges themselves: what makes a good one (Hickinbottom J), how they are becoming more diverse (Hallett LJ), and what happens when they apply (track record still counts for more than performance in role play and interview).
Shami Chakrabarti, Director of Liberty, argues for the wider value of legitimacy for the judiciary and recalls two current prominent politicians liking the idea that judges should be elected.
“If they would even contemplate the idea of so blurring the lines of justice and politics, there must be a serious job of public education and perception building to be done on the part of those of us who jealously defend the independence of the judicial branch.”
The Bar Council, the Law Society and the Institute of Legal Executives contributed to publishing the essays.
Taking credit where it is due, Lord Mackay of Clashfern points out that he introduced open, advertised competitions with candidates assessed against specific criteria in the mid 1990s and Jonathan Sumption QC reiterates that the Constitutional Reform Act 2006 put on a statutory basis “principles which already govern the recruitment and status of the judiciary”.
The book’s emphasis is on judges themselves: what makes a good one (Hickinbottom J), how they are becoming more diverse (Hallett LJ), and what happens when they apply (track record still counts for more than performance in role play and interview).
Shami Chakrabarti, Director of Liberty, argues for the wider value of legitimacy for the judiciary and recalls two current prominent politicians liking the idea that judges should be elected.
“If they would even contemplate the idea of so blurring the lines of justice and politics, there must be a serious job of public education and perception building to be done on the part of those of us who jealously defend the independence of the judicial branch.”
The Bar Council, the Law Society and the Institute of Legal Executives contributed to publishing the essays.
On the eve of the retirement of their first chairman, Baroness Prashar, on 1 October the Judicial Appointments Commission launched a slender book of essays, Judicial Appointments, Balancing Independence, Accountability and Legitimacy, in which nine highly qualified authors dissect the background, the workings and the challenges of the 21st Century appointments system.
The Chair of the Bar reports back
Susie Griffin on the admin that keeps barristers from billable work
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, explains how global events can influence the performance of pensions and ISAs, and why taking a long-term approach to investing is often the most effective strategy
Mário Barroso, Head of R&D and Method Development at AlphaBiolabs, discusses what family law professionals need to know about hallucinogens, from the main hallucinogenic drugs encountered in family proceedings, to their effects and the testing options available
Harmony Christian Ministries is the latest charity to benefit from a £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
By David Green
At the start of her term, Chair of the Bar 2026 Kirsty Brimelow KC set out a series of priorities for the year ahead. One of those priorities was children in the justice system
As the world becomes more digital, Barbara Vinagre Mota examines international research into the mental health consequences of judges’ exposure to graphic and immersive evidence, highlighting the importance of support systems
In an era of patient-centred care and growing concern over misconduct in medical settings, why do women still lack the right to choose women consultants for examination and treatment? Charles Davey investigates
Reviewed by Daniel Barnett
James McNeill Whistler at Tate Britain until 27 September Rothko in Florence at Palazzo Strozzi until 23 August Reviewed by Stephen Cragg KC
