§ The Attorney-GeneralUnder section 21(5) of the Courts Act 1971, neither the initial term for which a recorder is appointed, nor any extension of that term, can continue his appointment after the end of the completed year of service in which he reaches the age of 72.
§ The Attorney-GeneralAccording to such information as is available, there are nine serving recorders who have reached the age of 70.
§ Mr. Altonasked the Attorney-General how long it takes the Lord Chancellor's Department to process appointments to recorderships; and whether any appointments have been outstanding for six months.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe question is misconceived in terms of the modern system of judicial appointments. The hon. Member is referred to the booklet "Judicial Appointments", published by the Lord Chancellor's Department in May 1986, which sets out the Lord Chancellor's policies and procedures in relation to the appointment of recorders, among other judicial officers. The Lord Chancellor is sending the hon. Member a copy of this booklet. There is and can be no fixed timetable. Recorders are appointed from among those who have sat as assistant recorders and no application is necessary. Assistant recorders automatically begin to be considered for promotion to full recordership when they have gained a sufficient experience of sitting, which is normally between three and five years. If they are not promoted to a full recordership within a reasonable time thereafter, their assistant recordership is usually terminated.