24 April 2008
The process for appointing the next Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales has been announced. The current Lord Chief Justice, Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers, has been appointed as the Senior Lord of Appeal in Ordinary, and takes up the position on 1 October 2008.
The process is set out in the Constitutional Reform Act 2005.
The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Jack Straw, asked the Judicial Appointments Commission to appoint a selection panel for the appointment.
The selection panel has been convened, and consists of four members:
- Lord Bingham, in his capacity as senior Law Lord, who will chair the panel
- Sir Anthony Clarke, Master of the Rolls, nominated by Lord Bingham
- Baroness Prashar, as Chairman of the JAC
- Sir Geoffrey Inkin, a lay member of the JAC designated by Baroness Prashar
The panel will determine the selection process to be followed, apply it and make a selection. It then advises the Lord Chancellor of the candidate it has selected.
Under the terms of the statutory process the Lord Chancellor will then accept the selection, or reject it, or require the panel to reconsider the selection.
The appointment process is likely to be completed by late June or early July and the next Lord Chief Justice will take up the position on 1 October 2008.
Notes to editors
1. The process to be followed is set out in sections 67-75 of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005
2. For more information, contact the Ministry of Justice Press Office on 020 7210 8822, the Judicial Communications Office on 020 7073 4852 or the Judicial Appointments Commission on 020 7210 0132.