§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department in each of the past four years, how many(a) QCs, (b) barristers and (c) solicitors were informally approached to see if they would accept, if offered, judicial appointment, in each case to (i) the High Court bench and (ii) the circuit bench; in each case, how many indicated they would, if offered an appointment at that time, decline it; and if he will make a statement. [75788]
§ Mr. HoonThe table indicates the number, according to available Departmental records, of QCs in the last four years who(a) have been informally asked whether, if an offer were ever made, they would accept appointment to the High Court Bench; and (b) indicated that they would decline an offer of immediate appointment:
Year Number asked
Number who would
decline offer of
immediate
appointment
Number who accepted
subsequently
1995 12 8 3 1996 14 9 5 1997 3 3 0 1998 2 0 0 Of these, only 2 in 1995, 1 in 1996 and 2 in 1997 indicated that they would never accept appointment, and one of these has subsequently changed his mind. In 1996, one barrister was informally approached who indicated that he would accept appointment, if offered, and subsequently did so.
During the past four years, no solicitor has been approached, nor has any QC, barrister or solicitor been informally approached about appointment to the Circuit Bench.