§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what his policy is on the compulsory retirement of magistrates; and what plans he has to raise the retirement age. [178506]
§ Mr. LeslieThe retirement age of 70 for magistrates is statutory, as specified in the Justices of the Peace Act 1997. A general retirement age of 70 for judicial office holders was decided upon in the early 1990's when, after wide consultation, the then Government concluded that a retirement age of 70 was appropriate to modern conditions and this was reflected in new legislation.
There are currently no plans to increase the retirement age of judicial office holders, but we are looking at the position in the context of that part of the European Employment Directive on equal treatment in employment and occupation on age discrimination, which comes into force in October 2006.