HL Deb 12 April 1999 vol 599 cc97-8WA
Lord Patten

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether any of Her Majesty's judges currently holds commercial company directorships; and, if so, which. [HL1836]

The Lord Chancellor

Full-time judges are advised on appointment that they should not hold commercial directorships, but that there is normally no objection to their taking part in the management of a family estate or farming their own land. Part-time judges are not subject to the same constraint. My department does not collect information on how many part-time judges hold commercial company directorships.

Lord Patten

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is their definition of "a commercial directorship" in relation to rules concerning the conduct of Her Majesty's judges upon appointment to the bench. [HL1837]

The Lord Chancellor

Full time judges are advised on appointment that they should not hold commercial directorships, but that there is normally no objection to their taking part in the management of a family estate or farming their own land. There is no specific definition of "a commercial directorship" for these purposes. Judges are able to consult me or other senior members of the judiciary if they have any doubts about the application in particular circumstances of the guidance given to them on appointment.