Public protection
Speech by Sir Igor Judge, President of the Queen's Bench Division
20/11/2006
Sir Igor considered the primary responsibility of every judge - the protection of the public:
“Public protection has two distinct aspects. The first is directed at the interests of the community as a whole. The community must be protected from crime, and, where the exercise of this responsibility arises, the judge should have and does have public protection at the forefront of his mind. I can confidently say that I do not know any judge who does not. Any other view is based on misunderstanding or misinterpretation."
“The second is concerned with each member of the community as an individual. When he is suspected of crime, the laws which protect his rights, and the safeguards to avoid a miscarriage of justice must be applied by the judge fearlessly, without fear or favour.”
