Unit 4 The British Judiciary
Separation of powers 3 forms of the state power The executive power The legislative power The judicial power
Judicial power = JUDICIARY – There was a problem of the refutation of the doctrine of separation of powers before the Constitutional Reform Act from 2005 (came into force 3 April 2006) Lord Chancellor used to have three roles: 1. 2. 3. A member of the legislature, acted as Speaker of the House of Lords was a Government Minister – Minister of Justice Combination of - executive - judicial - legislative role was a judge, when he presided over the judicial commitee of the House of Lords Lord Chancellor’s judicial functions were contrary to the concept of JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE.
Situation after 2005 The Parliament of the UK passed the Constitutional Reform Act in 2005 the functions of a) the speaker of the House of Lords b) Head of the Judiciary of England Wales were removed from the office of Lord Chancellor. Þ His ability to act as both a government minister and a judge was removed. Þ Previous situation was not in conformance with the reqirements of the European Convention on Human Rights – providing a fair trial (Article 6).
Results of the Reform Act from 2005 - Ministry of Justice – administration of the overall court system Election of the Lord Speaker for the House of Lords Judicial Appointment Commission – set up April 2006 (responsible for the functioning and independence of the courts) → changed position of the Lord Chacellor: - no longer head of the judiciary - no requirement to be a member of the House of Lords - does not sit as a judge - less significant role in appointing judges - exercises disciplinary authority over judges
The Lord Chief Justice / The Supreme Court - - - Head of the judiciary and President of the Courts of England Wales in April 2006 (this used to be a role of the Lord Chancellor) Presiding judge of the Criminal Division of the Court of Appeal The Supreme Court replaced the Appellate Committee of the House o f Lords in October 2009 → full independence of judiciary from Government
Judicial selection used in Britain The used method is EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENT Judicial Appointment Commission appoints: - puisne judges of the High Court (niži suci) circuit judges (suci koji obilaze kotare) recorders (suci Krunskog suda s nepotpunim radnim vremenom) stipendiary magistrates (plaćeni suci) justices of the peace or magistrates (mirovni sudac) Justices of Supreme Court Lord Justices of Appeal
The criteria for the appointment Political career used to play an important role. Today it is the legal ability (education, qualification, experience = merit selection of judges). Superior judiciary – candidates are nominated after successful carreers as barristers (not immediatelly after the graduation as in many continental countries).
Judges may not be involved in political activity n they can not be members of the House of Commons, but if they belong to nobility they can participate in the work of the House of Lords n can be removed from office by the Lord Chancellor for inability or misbehaviour n Judges of High Court and Court of Appeal may be removed from office by the Queen after both Houses of parliament had presented the reasons n
The social background of judges n n come from rather narrow section of society e. g. almost all Lords of Appeal come from a solid middleclass background education: public school + Oxford or Cambridge recent developement: women and coloured immigrants are becoming barristers in increasing numbers
Expressions from the Unit 4 - - the doctrine of separation of powers to be a Government minister / a member of the Cabinet / of the Government be responsible for law reform / a task. . . to carry out duties to preside over a committee to hear a case to combine executive, judicial and legislative roles contrary to the concept of judicial independence to appoint judges on the advice of. . . (Prime Minister)
Expressions – part II - the appointment of. . . foster self-confidence & independence of mind to hold office to be removed from office to be removed for inability or misbehaviour to come from a middle-class / high-class background
Answer the following questions. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Which are three forms of the state power? Why is the Lord Chancellor an example for the refutation of the doctrine of separation of powers? How does the concept of judicial independence function in the British judiciary? Who chooses and appoints judges in Britain? What are the criteria for judicial appointment. Describe the position of judges who are memebers of the House of Commons / House of Lords befor their appointment. What is the typical education and social background of English judges?
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