HL Deb 20 July 2000 vol 615 c103WA
Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What proportion of the working time of the Lords of Appeal in Ordinary is spent in detemining appeals to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in professional disciplinary cases. [HL3157]

The Lord Chancellor (Lord Irvine of Lairg)

About 10 per cent of the court time of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council is taken up with health profession appeals but they take up less than that proportion of the time spent by the Law Lords in the Judicial Committee because:

  1. (a) whereas all other appeals are dealt with by a board of five members of the Judicial Committee, these appeals are heard by a board of three; and
  2. (b) boards for these appeals include one or two retired Law Lords or Lords Justices more frequently than they do for other appeals.

Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the justification for retaining the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council as the final appellate jurisdiction in professional disciplinary cases. [HL3158]

The Lord Chancellor

There are strong arguments for dealing with these cases at a lower judicial level. I am considering the question with the other Ministers concerned. Primary legislation would be required in some cases.