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Raising the benchmark

25 October 2013 / Christopher Stephens
Issue: 7581 / Categories: Opinion , Profession
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Christopher Stephens charts the move towards a new & improved judiciary

The Crime and Courts Act 2013 (CCA 2013) and its supporting regulations include a number of measures to improve further transparency and efficiency in the judicial appointments process and also to increase judicial diversity. The changes are in four main areas: working arrangements for judges; new selection processes; the make-up of selection panels; and the composition of the JAC Commissioners.

None of the changes alters the fundamental principle of selecting judges on merit. Maintaining public confidence in the quality and independence of our judiciary remains paramount.

Working arrangements for judges

Flexible working is available in many areas of the judiciary, particularly in tribunals, and through CCA 2013 flexible working has now been extended to the High Court and above for the first time. The Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) is currently running a High Court selection process which offers flexible working. We hope that over time the opportunity to work flexibly will become widely available. The JAC has argued for some time that flexible

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

DWF—19 appointments

DWF—19 appointments

Belfast team bolstered by three senior hires and 16 further appointments

Cadwalader—Andro Atlaga

Cadwalader—Andro Atlaga

Firm strengthens leveraged finance team with London partner hire

Knights—Ella Dodgson & Rebecca Laffan

Knights—Ella Dodgson & Rebecca Laffan

Double hire marks launch of family team in Leeds

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