§ 36. Mr. WATTasked the Attorney-General whether the High Court and the County Court judges in England are by their commissions whole-time servants of the Crown or are they permitted by such to engage in mercantile or other pursuits in any capacity; if the latter, do they in point of fact ever engage in trade?
§ Sir G. HEWARTI am not aware of any express permission, nor indeed of any express prohibition, of the kind referred to. Such matters are left, and safely left, to the discretion and the traditions of the judges themselves. If my hon. Friend has in his mind any specific case of which he desires to make complaint, it would, I think, be more convenient that he should inform me of the circumstances.
§ Mr. BILLINGWill the hon. and learned Gentleman state the position of a judge called upon to try a case in which such interests are involved?
§ Sir G. HEWARTIn such a case the judge does not act.
§ Mr. WATTCan the hon. and learned Gentleman say whether judges ever occupy the position of paid directors of mercantile companies?
§ Sir G. HEWARTI am not aware of any such case.