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Legal Personnel

Judicial independence and the rule of law

  • 3 things to know
  • Component 1

Overview

Judicial independence, security of tenure and test for apparent bias.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

What is judicial independence?

Key term

What is security of tenure?

Numbers

How can a judge of the senior courts be removed?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What is judicial independence?

    Model answer

    Judicial independence means judges decide cases free from pressure by government, Parliament or private interests. Independence protects the citizen against arbitrary use of state power.

  2. 2

    What is security of tenure?

    Model answer

    Security of tenure means a judge cannot be dismissed for deciding a case against the government. Senior judges hold office during good behaviour rather than at the pleasure of ministers.

  3. 3

    How can a judge of the senior courts be removed?

    Model answer

    A senior judge can be removed by the monarch only on an address by both Houses of Parliament. The Act of Settlement 1701 established the protection and the Senior Courts Act 1981 restates it.

  4. 4

    Has a senior judge in England and Wales ever been removed by that route?

    Model answer

    Removal on an address of both Houses has never happened to a senior judge in England and Wales. The protection has therefore proved to be a very strong one.

  5. 5

    How can an inferior judge be removed?

    Model answer

    A circuit judge may be removed by the Lord Chancellor with the agreement of the Lord Chief Justice. Incapacity or misbehaviour must be established before removal.

  6. 6

    Which body investigates complaints about judicial conduct?

    Model answer

    The Judicial Conduct Investigations Office examines complaints about the personal conduct of judges. Disciplinary decisions are then taken jointly by the Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chief Justice.

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Parliamentary and European Law Making
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The court sits in .
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AAn interim injunction restrains publication before trial.
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A Public Bill changes the general law.
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