HL Deb 17 June 2004 vol 662 c86WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether a senior judiciary "reflective of the community in Northern Ireland" in accordance with the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2004 will he appointed on the basis of merit. [HL3171]

Lord Filkin

Section 5 of the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002, as amended, provides that the selection of persons to be appointed, or recommended for appointment, to a judicial office listed in Schedule 1 to that Act (ie judicial offices up to and including High Court Judge) must be made solely on the basis of merit.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2004 will lead to an increase, or a diminution, in the involvement of the Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs and Lord Chancellor in the affairs of Northern Ireland. [HL3172]

Lord Filkin

The enactment of the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2004 will not have any material impact on the Lord Chancellor's ministerial responsibilities in Northern Ireland.

The Act will allow the Lord Chancellor to establish a Judicial Appointments Commission which will select persons for appointment to judicial office up to (and including) High Court judge level. The Lord Chancellor will remain responsible for making, or recommending to Her Majesty the making of, judicial appointments.

The 2004 Act also confers on the Lord Chancellor certain additional powers in relation to court security.