Lord Mayor's dinner for the judiciary - the Mansion House speech

Lord Judge considered the forthcoming constitutional change that would remove the Lord Chief Justice’s right to speak in the House of Lords.

“We all understand the convention that Her Majesty’s judges do not comment on political issues, nor discuss legislation which we may have to interpret, nor appear to support the views of one political party against those of another. But where constitutional arrangements are engaged, these are of direct importance to the judiciary, not least because any changes which have constitutional implications may affect the relationship between the citizen and the state. Even if we have not been consulted, I believe that we are entitled to speak, and there are some who think we have a duty to speak. Some indeed would think that we have a duty to speak.”

He called for more consultation about proposed constitutional changes affecting the judiciary – and for less legislation.