Rules Committee (Hansard, 29 February 2000)

§ Mr. Lock

This reply relates to the Civil Procedure Rule Committee established by the Civil Procedure Act 1997.

Lord Woolf, the master of the Rolls and Sir Richard Scott, Vice-Chancellor, are members of the Committee by virtue of the judicial offices they hold.

Under section 2(2) of the Civil Procedure Act 1997, the Lord Chancellor is required to appoint:

(a) One judge of the Supreme Court Lord Justice May, a judge of the Court of Appeal. Appointed in July 1997 until July 2000.

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(b) One Circuit Judge Judge Richard Holman, designated civil judge in Manchester. Formerly a solicitor in private practice. Appointed in July 1997 until July 2000.

(c) One district judge District Judge Godfrey Gypps. Sits mainly in Southend county court. Appointed in July 1997 until July 2001.

(d) One person who is a Master of the Supreme Court Master John Leslie. Appointed deputy Master in 1992 and full-time Master in 1996. Originally appointed in July 1997 until July 1999. Re-appointed until July 2001.

(e) Three persons who have a Supreme Court qualification, including at least one with particular experience of practice in county courts David Foskett QC, called to the Bar in 1972, taking Silk in 1991. Practises in commercial and common law and sits as a Deputy High Court Judge. Appointed in July 1997 until July 2001. Michael Black QC, called to the Bar in 1978, taking Silk in 1995. Practises mainly in commercial law and professional liability claims arising from construction disputes. Appointed a Recorder in 1999. Appointed to fill a vacancy in February 2000 until August 2002. Henrietta Manners, called to the Bar in 1981. Particular experience of practice in the county courts in general common law and landlord and tenant. Previously a member of the County Court Rule Committee and sits as a deputy district judge. Appointed in July 1997 until July 2000.

(f) Three persons who have been granted the right to conduct litigation in relation to all proceedings in the Supreme Court, including at least one with particular experience of practice in county courts David Greene of Edwin Coe, Solicitors. Admitted as a solicitor in 1980 and became a partner in 1984. Now Senior Litigation Partner. Appointed in July 1997 until July 2000. Peter Watson of Allen & Overy, Solicitors. Admitted as a solicitor in 1981 and became a partner in 1987. Specialises in commercial and administrative law litigation. Originally appointed in July 1997 until July 1999. Re-appointed until July 2001. Peter Haworth, of Southerns, Solicitors. Admitted as a solicitor in 1975 and became a partner in 1978. Particular experience of practice in county courts in personal injuries, construction disputes and general civil litigation. Appointed in July 1997 until July 2001.

(g) One person with experience in and knowledge of consumer affairs Harriet Kimbell. Associate Professor at the College of Law and member of the Consumers' Association Council since 1988. Appointed in July 1997 until July 2000.

(h) One person with experience in and knowledge of the lay advice sector Olivia Morrison-Lyons. Manager of the Consumer and Money Advice Unit of Camden Citizen's Advice Bureau from 1982 to 1993. Originally appointed in July 1997 until July 1999. Re-appointed until July 2001.

The procedures for appointing members of the Committee are in accordance with the accepted principles on public appointments with advertisements in the press, the taking of references, the sifting and interviewing of candidates and the presence of an independent member on the Selection Board. Such consultation as is required by the Civil Procedure Act 1997 is undertaken.