Legal Personnel – The Judiciary
THE JUDICIARY:
Role of Judges:
To apply the law - independent judiciary
Criminal courts = the jury decide, judge passes the sentence
Civil courts = judge decide the issue of liability + damages and passes the sentence
Reform Act 2005 changes:
Superior judges separate from parliament - independent judiciary
Role of lord chancellor - minister of justice
Hierarchy:
Supreme court = Justices Of The Supreme Court
Court of Appeal = Lords Justices Of Appeal
High Court = High Court Judges
Crown court = Circuit Judges, District Judges, Recorders
County court = Circuit Judges, District Judges, Recorders
Magistrates court = District Judges
Selection of judges:
Pre constitutional reform act 2005:
Lord Chancellor = selected judges based on opinions of existing judges, decided on who to
appoint, invited those to become judges
Post constitutional reform act 2005:
Appointments by judicial appointments commission + advertised to apply, separate from
political influence
THE JUDICIARY:
Role of Judges:
To apply the law - independent judiciary
Criminal courts = the jury decide, judge passes the sentence
Civil courts = judge decide the issue of liability + damages and passes the sentence
Reform Act 2005 changes:
Superior judges separate from parliament - independent judiciary
Role of lord chancellor - minister of justice
Hierarchy:
Supreme court = Justices Of The Supreme Court
Court of Appeal = Lords Justices Of Appeal
High Court = High Court Judges
Crown court = Circuit Judges, District Judges, Recorders
County court = Circuit Judges, District Judges, Recorders
Magistrates court = District Judges
Selection of judges:
Pre constitutional reform act 2005:
Lord Chancellor = selected judges based on opinions of existing judges, decided on who to
appoint, invited those to become judges
Post constitutional reform act 2005:
Appointments by judicial appointments commission + advertised to apply, separate from
political influence
