*/
“I am more inclined to judicial discretion than some of my predecessors”, the Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor, Ken Clarke QC, declared to the Justice Select Committee on 21 July 2010.
He added that we have sometimes “run ahead of common sense” which accounts for the incomprehension of sentencing legislation under the previous government.
The Lord Chancellor faced a series of well prepared questions from each member of the newly formed Committee which includes a number of recently practising barristers and solicitors. He freely admitted that he didn’t have all the answers.
He was concerned that the prison population had doubled since he was Home Secretary; he recognised though that we have created a “growing underclass” of people who know that they will be “back soon” an “inexplicable” number of whom are women. He wanted to see fewer prisoners but made no claim for his ability to reduce the crime rate. At this stage of discussions over funding he could not be specific about the future of legal aid though he was considering some form of insurance (“I haven’t found a more expensive system” in the world than the one we have now). He wondered about the underlying structure whereby defendants only pleaded guilty at the door of the court and cases seemed to take so long that there could be reverse incentives to keep costs down.
Although he has “no particular criticism” of the Judicial Appointments Commission, it costs £10 million a year and takes 18 months to choose a judge through an “elaborate process” which may not be making a notable difference to the judiciary. He was not fussed about competitive tendering (“we have enough lawyers” and there is “no lack of people wanting to come in”). “I haven’t made that many policy decisions yet”, he concluded.
He added that we have sometimes “run ahead of common sense” which accounts for the incomprehension of sentencing legislation under the previous government.
The Lord Chancellor faced a series of well prepared questions from each member of the newly formed Committee which includes a number of recently practising barristers and solicitors. He freely admitted that he didn’t have all the answers.
He was concerned that the prison population had doubled since he was Home Secretary; he recognised though that we have created a “growing underclass” of people who know that they will be “back soon” an “inexplicable” number of whom are women. He wanted to see fewer prisoners but made no claim for his ability to reduce the crime rate. At this stage of discussions over funding he could not be specific about the future of legal aid though he was considering some form of insurance (“I haven’t found a more expensive system” in the world than the one we have now). He wondered about the underlying structure whereby defendants only pleaded guilty at the door of the court and cases seemed to take so long that there could be reverse incentives to keep costs down.
Although he has “no particular criticism” of the Judicial Appointments Commission, it costs £10 million a year and takes 18 months to choose a judge through an “elaborate process” which may not be making a notable difference to the judiciary. He was not fussed about competitive tendering (“we have enough lawyers” and there is “no lack of people wanting to come in”). “I haven’t made that many policy decisions yet”, he concluded.
“I am more inclined to judicial discretion than some of my predecessors”, the Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor, Ken Clarke QC, declared to the Justice Select Committee on 21 July 2010.
Sam Townend KC explains the Bar Council’s efforts towards ensuring a bright future for the profession
Giovanni D’Avola explores the issue of over-citation of unreported cases and the ‘added value’ elements of a law report
Louise Crush explores the key points and opportunities for tax efficiency
Westgate Wealth Management Ltd is a Partner Practice of FTSE 100 company St. James’s Place – one of the top UK Wealth Management firms. We offer a holistic service of distinct quality, integrity, and excellence with the aim to build a professional and valuable relationship with our clients, helping to provide them with security now, prosperity in the future and the highest standard of service in all of our dealings.
Is now the time to review your financial position, having reached a career milestone? asks Louise Crush
If you were to host a dinner party with 10 guests, and you asked them to explain what financial planning is and how it differs to financial advice, you’d receive 10 different answers. The variety of answers highlights the ongoing need to clarify and promote the value of financial planning.
On the 50th anniversary of the pub bombings, even now it is still unresolved. Chris Mullin, the journalist and former MP who led the campaign leading to the release of the Birmingham Six, looks back at events
One year on and the Court of Appeal fails to quash convictions after receiving evidence of racism in the jury room, and there are still no revisions to the Equal Treatment Bench Book , says Keir Monteith KC
Most of us like to think we would risk our career in order to meet our ethical obligations, so why have so many lawyers failed to hold the line? asks Flora Page
If your current practice environment is bringing you down, seek a new one. However daunting the change, it will be worth it, says Anon Barrister
A cultural life and times