lord chief justice, Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, UK judiciary
Constitution Committee questions Lord Chief Justice
7 May 2014
On Wednesday 7 May the House of Lords Constitution Committee takes evidence from Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, the Lord Chief Justice. The Committee holds the annual session with the Lord Chief Justice to explore issues relating to justice and the judiciary.
- Parliament TV: Watch the annual oral evidence session with the Lord Chief Justice
- Select Committee on the Constitution
Witness
Wednesday 7 May 2014; Committee room 1, Palace of Westminster
At 10.30am
- Rt Hon. Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales
Likely questions
Areas the Committee are expected to cover with Lord Thomas include:
- Is there a risk to the quality of the justice system in the UK if reforms to it are driven by a need to save money rather than to address identifiable problems?
- How is he approaching his statutory duty to increase the diversity of the judiciary?
- What has been the impact of the use of cameras in the Court of Appeal and does he see a role of them in other courts?
- Would the introduction if an intermediate tier of court between magistrate’s courts and crown courts risk undermining the principle of trial by jury?
- Is there scope for allowing a more inquisitorial role for judges in civil cases beyond cases in the family courts?
- What mechanisms could be introduced to ensure the Lord Chief Justice is fully consulted on changes affecting the judiciary?