Rich lawyers reluctant to become judges

Lawyers are too rich to join the judiciary, Lord Thomas, the Lord Chief Justice has told Peers. The House of Lords Constitution Committee heard last week that the judiciary is having problems recruiting suitable candidates to the bench, particularly the High Court, because private practice has been so prosperous in recent years that people don’t want to accept a pay cut. Traditionally, the judicial pension was a big draw for applicants, but Lord Thomas said the Chancellor’s £10,000 tax relief cap on pensions had acted as a deterrent.