Lords of Appeal in Ordinary

HL Deb 25 February 1999 vol 597 c141WA

Lord Patten

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they consider that Lords of Appeal in Ordinary have any conflict of interests arising from their dual judicial and legislative roles in the House of Lords. [HL1071]

The Lord Chancellor

The Lords of Appeal in Ordinary are members of the House of Lords both in its legislative and its judicial capacities. That membership does not give rise to any conflict of interest. The Law Lords' contributions to debates on the administration of justice are highly valued by the House. While participating in debate, however, it is prudent for them to abstain from concluded views of a judicial character on issues, arising out of legislation or otherwise, which might give rise to a risk of disqualifying them later from ruling judicially on those very issues.