§ Mr. Campbell-Savoursasked the Attorney-General how many registrars in the county court have been promoted to high court judge service since 1979; and how many were promoted directly from registrar.
The Solicitor-GeneralCounty court registrars are not eligible for appointment as High Court judges and none has been appointed. One registrar of the principal registry of the family division of the High Court has been appointed a High Court judge.
§ Mr. Campbell-Savoursasked the Attorney-General how many registrars there are in England and Wales.
The Solicitor-GeneralThere are 199 county court registrars, 13 registrars of the principal registry of the family division of the High Court and four bankruptcy registrars of the High Court in England and Wales.
§ Mr. Campbell-Savoursasked the Attorney-General if he will make a statement as to the Lord Chancellor's practice in recommending the appointment of registrars and High Court judges.
The Solicitor-GeneralCounty court and district registrars are appointed by the Lord Chancellor. High Court judges are appointed by the Queen on the recommendation of the Lord Chancellor.
The Lord Chancellor's practice is outlined in a pamphlet entitled "Judicial Appointments" obtainable from the Lord Chancellor's Department, and which has been placed in the Library of the House of Commons. The 645W Lord Chancellor's overriding consideration is the public interest in maintaining the quality of the bench and confidence in its competence and independence. His practice is to appoint to every judicial post the candidate who appears to him to be best qualified to perform its duties regardless of party, sex, religion or ethnic origin. Profession ability, experience, standing and integrity alone are the criteria, with the requirements that the candidate must be physically capable of carrying out the duties of the post, and not disqualified by any personal unsuitability.