§ Mr. James HillTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to ensure independence of justices' clerks when advising magistrates, other than in individual cases.
Mr. John M. TaylorThe Lord Chancellor and I are entirely committed to protecting the independence of justices' clerks when advising magistrates. The legislation which with Parliament's approval will implement the White Paper, "A New Framework for Local Justice", will establish a framework within which the respective roles and responsibilities of justices' clerks and their magistrates courts committees can be clarified. The legislation will also make clear that justices' clerks are not liable to direction in respect of the legal advice given to magistrates in court.
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§ Mr. James HillTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will now publish the text of the proposed statutory provisions regarding the judicial independence of magistrates and the independence of legal advice given to magistrates by their clerks in individual cases.
Mr. John M. TaylorThe Bill which will implement the White Paper, "A New Framework for Local Justice", is expected to be introduced to the House before the Christmas recess, after which the full text will be published in accordance with the usual procedure.