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lord chancellor, lord chief justice, Lord Mackay of Clashfern, Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers

Lords take evidence from former Lord Chancellor and Lord Chief Justice

23 July 2014

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On Wednesday 23 July the House of Lords Constitution Committee takes evidence from Lord Mackay of Clashfern and Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers. The session is part of the committee’s inquiry into the office of Lord Chancellor.

Witnesses

Wednesday 23 July at 10:30am, Committee Room 1, Palace of Westminster:

  • Lord Mackay of Clashfern, Lord Chancellor 1987-1997
  • Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers, Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales 2005-2008, founding president of the Supreme Court, 2009-2012

Possible questions

The Committee will ask the witnesses about a range of issues, including:

  • What is meant by judicial independence in the context of the duties of the Lord Chancellor?
  • What examples are there of the Lord Chancellor upholding judicial independence? Is there more the Lord Chancellor could do in this regard?
  • Should the Lord Chancellor make an annual report to Parliament on the fulfilment on his duties?
  • How can the Lord Chancellor be assured of having sufficient political influence to deal effectively with Cabinet colleagues on legal and constitutional matters?
  • Does the separation from the judiciary achieved through the 2003–05 reforms risk judicial concerns not being given sufficient weight by the Lord Chancellor?
  • Should there be statutory criteria for the appointment of the Lord Chancellor?
  • Should there be a Lord Chancellor? If so, what should his or her functions be? If not, who should perform those functions?

Further information