HC Deb 29 October 2003 vol 412 c305W
Vera Baird

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what action the Secretary of State takes against judges who are successfully appealed against in relation to(a) sentence and (b) conviction significantly more often than the norm. [134113]

Mr. Leslie

Judges are accountable for their judicial decisions via the appeal system. A successful appeal to a higher court does not of itself provide a basis for criticism of a trial judge. Where the Court of Appeal does record criticism of the trial judge, the judgment is always sent to the judge concerned. and where there is any reason for concern about the conduct of the judge, it is sent to the presiding judges. From time to time where judges are not performing adequately, they may be given advice and guidance, or training, or different workloads or types of workload by the responsible senior judiciary.

In cases where the judge's conduct is seriously impugned, the presiding judges will refer the matter to the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State, and the Lord Chief Justice to consider complaints about conduct.

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