Serving Judges: Publication of Memoirs

HL Deb 21 December 2000 vol 620 cc86-7WA

Lord Lamont of Lerwick

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether English judges are allowed to profit from the publication of case-related memoirs while in office. [HL173]

The Lord Chancellor

The revised guidance on the outside activities and interests of the judiciary which I introduced, and placed in the Libraries of both Houses, on 15 June 2000 states that judges should as a general principle avoid activities which may be seen to undermine their judicial independence and impartiality or which could conflict with judicial office. The guidance states that the writing of books is not, of itself, incompatible with judicial office, but I would expect a serving judge to exercise due circumspection in relation to any case with which he has dealt judicially.