The Judicial Executive Board and the Judges’ Council held a joint meeting yesterday to consider the present state of the working group discussions between members of the judiciary and senior Ministry of Justice officials regarding constitutional safeguards to protect the independence of the judiciary and the proper administration of justice.
It was reported to the meeting that much progress has been made, but no agreement has been reached and difficult issues remain.
The Judicial Executive Board and Judges’ Council endorsed the position taken by the Lord Chief Justice and other members of the judiciary to date, and expressed their support for the continuing efforts to reach agreement.
The meeting noted that the Lord Chief Justice is due to appear before the House of Commons Constitutional Affairs Select Committee on 22nd May, on which date he will present a full report on the current position to Parliament.
Notes to Editors
1. The Working Party’s Parameters
The working party is operating under the following parameters laid down by the Lord Chancellor:
- No change to legislation
- No changes to the Concordat *
- No change to the executive agency status of HM Court Service
- No ring-fencing of budgets
- It is for the Lord Chancellor to decide, subject to his statutory obligations, on budgetary issues.
(* The constitutional agreement of January 2004 between the Lord Chancellor and Lord Chief Justice setting out their respective roles and responsibilities from that date)
2. The composition of the Judicial Executive Board
| Lord Chief Justice (Chairman) | Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers |
| Master of the Rolls | Sir Anthony Clarke |
| President of the Queen’s Bench Division | Sir Igor Judge |
| President of the Family Division | Sir Mark Potter |
| Chancellor of the High Court | Sir Andrew Morritt |
| Vice-President of the Queen’s Bench Division | Lord Justice May |
| Senior Presiding Judge | Lord Justice Leveson |
| Director of the Judicial Office | Ms Debora Matthews |
3. The composition of the Judges’ Council
| The Lord Chief Justice (Chairman) | Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers |
| The Senior Presiding Judge | Lord Justice Leveson |
| Judicial Committee of the House of Lords | Baroness Hale of Richmond |
| Court of Appeal | Lord Justice Waller,
Lord Justice Scott Baker |
| High Court Judge (Family Division) | Mr Justice Bennett |
| High Court Judge (Queen’s Bench Division) | Mr Justice Butterfield |
| High Court Judge (Chancery Division) | Mr Justice Warren |
| Presiding Judge | Mr Justice Simon, Mr Justice Wilkie |
| President of the Council of Circuit Judges (COCJ) | HH Judge Lyons CBE |
| The Honorary Secretary of the COCJ | HH Judge Cutler |
| President of the Association of District Judges (ADJ) | District Judge Tennant |
| The Honorary Secretary of the ADJ | District Judge Walker CBE |
| High Court Masters’ Group | Senior Master Turner |
| District Judge (The Chief Magistrate) | District Judge Workman |
| Tribunal Members | Sir Stephen Oliver QC,
Mr Peter Hildebrand,
Mr Paul Sharef |
| Magistrates’ Association | Ms Cindy Barnett JP |
Ends
