NCJ Number
140590
Date Published
1992
Length
91 pages
Annotation
This report presents the recommendations of JUSTICE, the British Section of the International Commission of Jurists, regarding potential improvements to the English and Welsh judiciaries.
Abstract
After a brief discussion of the independent nature of the judiciary and the present system of judges in England and Wales, the report touches on the perceived strengths of the judiciary including the technical competence of trial judges, their noted elegance in oral and written style, and their reputation for legal science, learning, and personal integrity. However, JUSTICE also points to several areas of weakness. Their recommendations emphasize the need for a greater professional role for judges; a more open, younger, and flexible judiciary, better trained in the skills of judging; and a more effective machinery for dealing with public complaints about judges. To these ends, the report calls for the establishment of an independent agency to supervise appointments, training, complaints, and careers. 9 appendixes