§ Lord Pattenasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will introduce lay involvement in the selection of judges. [HL284]
§ The Lord ChancellorLay people are already involved in the shortlisting and interviewing of applicants for judicial office below High Court level. Lay interviewers have been selected from among the chairmen and members of the Lord Chancellor's Advisory Committees on Justices of the Peace and have experience both of interviewing and of the judicial process. They will continue to play a valuable part in the judicial appointments process.
§ Lord Pattenasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will introduce public hearings before new appointments are made to the higher judiciary. [HL283]
§ The Lord ChancellorThere are at present no plans to introduce public hearings before new appointments are made to any level of the judiciary.
§ Lord Pattenasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they continue to support the present secret process for selecting judges in Britain. [HL282]
§ The Lord ChancellorThe process for selecting judges in England and Wales is not secret. Applications are invited for all appointments up to and including the High Court and selection is based strictly on merit against criteria for each office.