JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS PROCEDURES

HL Deb 26 July 1994 vol 557 c73WA

Lord Brougham and Vaux

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they expect to complete their consideration of responses to the Lord Chancellor's consultation document, Developments in Judicial Appointments Procedures.

The Lord Chancellor (Lord Mackay of Clashfern)

The closing date for responses was 30th June. To date, about 900 copies of the paper have been distributed and 24 responses received. The majority of these are generally supportive of the proposals and I therefore intend to proceed to implement the proposed developments largely as set out in the consultation paper. In the light of the responses, I propose to make a number of detailed changes to the draft job descriptions and statements of eligibility and criteria for appointment to the offices of Circuit and District Judge contained in the consultation document. Copies of the revised drafts will be placed in the Library. I would like to thank those who took the time to offer their comments, many of which were helpful and all of which have received careful consideration.