§ Mr. Morganasked the Attorney-General whether there is an upper age limit for the appointment of justices of the peace within the United Kingdom; if such a limit is one of practice or one imposed by law; and what exceptions are permitted when local requirements so demand.
§ The Solicitor-GeneralWith the exception of the Duchy of Lancaster, the Lord Chancellor appoints justices for England and Wales. There is no statutory upper age limit, but as, under paragraph 4(1) of schedule 1 to the Administration of Justice Act 1973, the name of a justice must be placed on the supplemental list on reaching the age of 70, the Lord Chancellor is unlikely in practice to appoint a candidate over 60. He prefers as many candidates as possible to be under 50 years of age in order to ensure balance in the composition of a Bench, and to enable those appointed and trained as justices to give a reasonable period of service.