Independence Under Threat – Speech by Dame Heather Hallett DBE
Independence Under Threat (PDF)
Speech by Dame Heather Hallett DBE
Bentham Association Presidential Address, 21st March 2012
Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk
Category: judiciary
Lady Justice Hallett: Judges are only human – Daily Telegraph
“A ‘constant barrage’ of personal attacks could one day prevent judges from making ‘brave but just’ decisions, a senior figure in the Appeal Court has warned.”
Daily Telegraph, 21st March 2012
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Employment: ECJ Considers Definition of “Workers” – Hardwicke Chambers
“Morayo Fagborun Bennett says the European Court of Justice’s (ECJ) decision in O’Brien v Ministry of Justice ‘sweeps away’ many of the Ministry of Justice’s (MoJ) justifications for distinguishing between part-time and full-time judges. ‘The MoJ is going to have to think hard how it handles the case when it comes back to the Supreme Court,’ she says. ‘It doesn’t lend itself to any easy settlement and there are thousands eagerly awaiting the outcome.'”
Hardwick Chambers, 14th March 2012
Source: www.hardwicke.co.uk
Lord Neuberger’s seven principles empower judges to speak – The Guardian
“What should judges be able say outside the courts? One of the most senior judges, Lord Neuberger, has proposed some principles for ‘extra-judicial’ statements. These are likely to shape judicial contributions to public debate for some time to come, but do they go far enough?”
The Guardian, 16th March 2012
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Senior judge cautions colleagues over courting publicity – The Guardian
“Judges are becoming too eager to speak out, appear on television programmes such as MasterChef and criticise government policy, the head of the civil judiciary has warned.”
The Guardian, 16th March 2012
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
2 men and 1 women on shortlist for UK’s next judge at human rights court – The Guardian
“The UK’s next judge on the European court of human rights (ECtHR) will be elected from a shortlist of candidates including a prominent human rights lawyer, a commercial barrister and a Strasbourg veteran.”
The Guardian, 8th March 2012
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
O’Brien v Ministry of Justice – WLR Daily
O’Brien v Ministry of Justice (Case C-393/10); [2012] WLR (D) 58
“It was for the member states to define the concept of ‘workers who have an employment contract or an employment relationship’ within the meaning of clause 2.1 of the Framework Agreement on part-time work, provided that this did not lead to arbitrary exclusion from protection offered by Directive 97/81/EC.”
WLR Daily, 1st March 2012
Source: www.iclr.co.uk
Consultation launched on Judicial discipline regulations – Judiciary of England and Wales
“The Office for Judicial Complaints (OJC) has launched a consultation on proposed changes to the rules and regulations governing the procedures concerning the handling of complaints and discipline of judges today.”
Judiciary of England and Wales, 29th February 2012
Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk
The democratic legitimacy of human rights – UK Human Rights Blog
“Why should we bother with the European Convention on Human Rights? Many of those that would never contemplate leaving the ECHR still question whether we should abide by controversial decisions such as those on prisoners’ voting rights or deportation. UCL’s Professor Richard Bellamy attempted to answer this question at the Statute Law Society’s talk on Monday evening. He said that the UK should abide by the ECHR, which gains its legitimacy by being the best way for democratic states regulate their relationships and protect their citizens’ rights.”
Source: www.ukhumanrightsblog.com
Judicial Politics: Stephen Sedley on the separation of powers – London Review of Books
“Although it is unusual, there is nothing novel about a member of the Bar being appointed directly to the UK’s highest court. When the highest court was the appellate committee of the House of Lords, appointments to it were occasionally made in this way, sometimes to good effect. Among the last, now more than half a century ago, were James Reid QC, a Scottish Tory MP who, as Lord Reid, became one of the best judges of the postwar years, and Cyril Radcliffe QC, a distinguished public servant and barrister.”
London Review of Books, 16th February 2012
Source: www.lrb.co.uk
The Ebsworth Lecture: Looking the other way – Speech by Lord Justice Moses
The Ebsworth Lecture: Looking the other way (PDF)
Speech by Lord Justice Moses
Middle Temple, 13th February 2012
Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk
Lord Justice Moses and the 161 criteria – The Guardian
“Judges know the new ratings scheme for advocates is misconceived and over-elaborate. But they don’t want anyone else doing it.”
The Guardian, 14th February 2012
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Where are the judges fit for the internet age? – The Guardian
“Twitter and Facebook are having a transformational effect on the nature of secrecy and access.”
The Guardian, 12th February 2012
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Wigs off, jeans on at the Judicial College – The Guardian
“Joshua Rozenberg watches judges in training at a Midlands conference hotel.”
The Guardian, 8th February 2012
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Blind man’s care funding case raises profound issues, supreme court told – The Guardian
“A blind man’s care funding battle with a local authority raises ‘important and profound’ issues for disabled people, the supreme court has been told.”
The Guardian, 7th February 2012
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Judges ponder action over pensions – Law Society’s Gazette
“Judges are considering legal action to block an increase in their pension contributions.”
Law Society’s Gazette, 1st February 2012
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
Rape cases: why judicial training is needed – The Guardian
“Special training for rape case judges is needed to tackle preconceived ideas – and already it is starting to work.”
The Guardian, 31st January 2012
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
‘Tie-break’ system could bring more diversity among judges – Ken Clarke – The Guardian
“Progress in appointing women and members of ethnic minorities as judges has been far too slow and a ‘tie-break’ procedure favouring such candidates should be adopted, the justice secretary has told the House of Lords.”
The Guardian, 19th January 2012
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Appointment of Reed and Carnwath judicious – even though both are male – The Guardian
“The promotion of Lord Justice Carnwath and Lord Reed to the supreme court is to be warmly welcomed, even though neither of them is a woman. The court will need a chancery specialist when Lord Walker retires. Sir Robert Carnwath served as a judge of the high court chancery division for eight years, the last three as chairman of the Law Commission. Though 66, he can remain a justice of the supreme court until he is 75.”
The Guardian, 20th December 2011
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Two more male judges appointed to UK supreme court – The Guardian
“Two male judges have been appointed as justices of the UK’s supreme court, dashing campaigners’ hopes for an increase in the number of women on the country’s most senior bench.”
The Guardian, 20th December 2011
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
