The latest Lord Chief Justice’s Report has been laid before the House of Lords.
The Report focuses on the work of the courts and on the wide range of statutory responsibilities which guide his role.
In his introduction, the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge said the period covered by the report had been a time of exceptional national difficulty: “The administration of justice is not, and has not, been immunised from the economic crisis. The report demonstrates that in addition to their responsibilities for deciding each and every individual case which comes before the courts for decision, judges and magistrates have to make a significant contribution to the orderly administration and running of the justice system.
“It underlines that many different aspects of the administration of justice are under review and reform, whether in criminal justice, civil justice, family justice, and indeed the workings of the tribunal system. The perceptive reader will appreciate that these changes, all intended to improve the efficiency of the administration of justice without any diminution in its quality, add considerably to the burdens on the judiciary.
“Notwithstanding the concerns expressed by the Senior Salaries Review Body about the potential impact on morale of the steady reduction in value of their terms and conditions visited on the judiciary over a number of years, judges continue to respond to and deal with these additional demands on their time.
"The efforts made by the judiciary and the court service staff to support the administration of justice can be readily appreciated. One illustration is the speed and efficiency with which the courts and the staff employed in them, responded to the disturbances in the streets of our cities during the summer of 2011. This was one contributory factor in bringing them to an end.”
He noted that the courts now sitting in the new Rolls Building continue their considerable contribution to the wealth of the nation.
ENDS
Notes for editors:
1. The Lord Chief Justice’s Report 2010-12 is available at: http://www.judiciary.gov.uk/publications-and-reports/reports/general/lcj-review-administration-justice/lcj-report-2010-2012
2. Previous Lord Chief Justices' Reports are available here: http://www.judiciary.gov.uk/publications-and-reports/reports/general/lcj-review-administration-justice
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