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Senior judges in England and Wales have condemned the Polish authorities for interfering with judicial independence.
The Judges’ Council of England and Wales joined European colleagues at the European Network of Councils for the Judiciary, which had issued a press release expressing ‘grave concern’ about developments taking place in Poland and their impact on judicial independence.
The concern is over proposed legislation from the Polish government that would allow for the dismissal of the presidents and a substantial number of judges of the Supreme Court, as well as all presidents and vice-presidents of common courts by the executive, and the setting up of disciplinary chambers consisting of peoples’ representatives in the Supreme Court.
The Network of the Presidents of the Supreme Judicial Courts of the European Union has also drawn attention to the situation.
It voiced disquiet over ‘interventions by Polish authorities, including calling into question the constitutionality of the appointment of the first president of the Supreme Court of Poland and the envisaged reform of the National Council of the Judiciary’ which it said ‘appears to indicate a threat to the independence of the Supreme Court as well as the Polish judiciary as a whole’.
The network warned that the interference will undermine the rule of law and mutual trust in the administration of justice.
Meanwhile, barristers from England and Wales met Polish advocates in Warsaw to exchange experiences in conducting cross-border criminal and family cases at an English-Polish Law Day.
Senior judges in England and Wales have condemned the Polish authorities for interfering with judicial independence.
The Judges’ Council of England and Wales joined European colleagues at the European Network of Councils for the Judiciary, which had issued a press release expressing ‘grave concern’ about developments taking place in Poland and their impact on judicial independence.
The concern is over proposed legislation from the Polish government that would allow for the dismissal of the presidents and a substantial number of judges of the Supreme Court, as well as all presidents and vice-presidents of common courts by the executive, and the setting up of disciplinary chambers consisting of peoples’ representatives in the Supreme Court.
The Network of the Presidents of the Supreme Judicial Courts of the European Union has also drawn attention to the situation.
It voiced disquiet over ‘interventions by Polish authorities, including calling into question the constitutionality of the appointment of the first president of the Supreme Court of Poland and the envisaged reform of the National Council of the Judiciary’ which it said ‘appears to indicate a threat to the independence of the Supreme Court as well as the Polish judiciary as a whole’.
The network warned that the interference will undermine the rule of law and mutual trust in the administration of justice.
Meanwhile, barristers from England and Wales met Polish advocates in Warsaw to exchange experiences in conducting cross-border criminal and family cases at an English-Polish Law Day.
Far-ranging month for the Chair of the Bar
Endometriosis Awareness North, a charity raising awareness of endometriosis and supporting those affected across the North of England, has received a £500 boost from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, examines the most recent data on alcohol misuse in the UK, and the implications for alcohol testing in family proceedings
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, explains how tailored financial planning can help barristers take control of their finances and plan with confidence
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs
A £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs has been made to the leading UK charity tackling international parental child abduction and the movement of children across international borders
Seeing the full picture – Baljit Ubhey OBE outlines the CPS action plan to tackle violence against women and girls, offering insights directly relevant to courtroom practice
Heritage as an anchor and a compass, finding our common humanity and embracing the power of the outsider – Melina Antoniadis’s lessons learnt
Is the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office process fit for purpose? Women barristers’ experiences of bullying are not being reported or, if they are, they are not making it through the system, says Tana Adkin KC
Review by Daniel Barnett
Chair of the Bar reports back
