Constitutional Reform Act 2005 Part 1 The rule of law The rule of law 1 This Act does not adversely affect— a the existing constitutional principle of the rule of law, or b the Lord Chancellor's existing constitutional role in relation to that principle. Part 2 Arrangements to modify the office of Lord Chancellor Qualifications for office of Lord Chancellor Lord Chancellor to be qualified by experience 2 1 A person may not be recommended for appointment as Lord Chancellor unless he appears to the Prime Minister to be qualified by experience. 2 The Prime Minister may take into account any of these— a experience as a Minister of the Crown; b experience as a member of either House of Parliament; c experience as a qualifying practitioner; d experience as a teacher of law in a university; e other experience that the Prime Minister considers relevant. 3 In this section “ qualifying practitioner ” means any of these— a a person who has a Senior Courts qualification, within the meaning of section 71 of the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 (c. 41); b an advocate in Scotland or a solicitor entitled to appear in the Court of Session and the High Court of Justiciary; c a member of the Bar of Northern Ireland or a solicitor of the Court of Judicature of Northern Ireland. Continued judicial independence Guarantee of continued judicial independence 3 1 The Lord Chancellor, other Ministers of the Crown and all with responsibility for matters relating to the judiciary or otherwise to the administration of justice must uphold the continued independence of the judiciary. 2 Subsection (1) does not impose any duty which it would be within the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament to impose. 3 A person is not subject to the duty imposed by subsection (1) if he is subject to the duty imposed by section 1(1) of the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 (c. 26). 4 The following particular duties are imposed for the purpose of upholding that independence. 5 The Lord Chancellor and other Ministers of the Crown must not seek to influence particular judicial decisions through any special access to the judiciary. 6 The Lord Chancellor must have regard to— a the need to defend that independence; b the need for the judiciary to have the support necessary to enable them to exercise their functions; c the need for the public interest in regard to matters relating to the judiciary or otherwise to the administration of justice to be properly represented in decisions affecting those matters. 7 In this section “ the judiciary ” includes the judiciary of any of the following— a the Supreme Court; b any other court established under the law of any part of the United Kingdom; c any international court. 7A In this section “ the judiciary ” also includes every person who— a holds an office listed in Schedule 14 or holds an office listed in subsection (7B), and b but for this subsection would not be a member of the judiciary for the purposes of this section. 7B The offices are those of— a Senior President of Tribunals; b President of Employment Tribunals (Scotland); c Vice President of Employment Tribunals (Scotland); d member of a panel of Employment Judges (Scotland); e member of a panel of members of employment tribunals that is not a panel of Employment Judges ; f . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 In subsection (7) “ international court ” means the International Court of Justice or any other court or tribunal which exercises jurisdiction, or performs functions of a judicial nature, in pursuance of— a an agreement to which the United Kingdom or Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom is a party, or b a resolution of the Security Council or General Assembly of the United Nations. Guarantee of continued judicial independence: Northern Ireland 4 1 For section 1 of the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 (c. 26) (guarantee of continued judicial independence) substitute— Guarantee of continued judicial independence 1 1 The following persons must uphold the continued independence of the judiciary— a the First Minister, b the deputy First Minister, c Northern Ireland Ministers, and d all with responsibility for matters relating to the judiciary or otherwise to the administration of justice, where that responsibility is to be discharged only in or as regards Northern Ireland. 2 The following particular duty is imposed for the purpose of upholding that independence. 3 The First Minister, the deputy First Minister and Northern Ireland Ministers must not seek to influence particular judicial decisions through any special access to the judiciary. 4 In this section “ the judiciary ” includes the judiciary of any of the following— a the Supreme Court; b any other court established under the law of any part of the United Kingdom; c any international court. 5 In subsection (4) “ international court ” means the International Court of Justice or any other court or tribunal which exercises jurisdiction, or performs functions of a judicial nature, in pursuance of— a an agreement to which the United Kingdom or Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom is a party, or b a resolution of the Security Council or General Assembly of the United Nations. 2 In section 91(2) of that Act (extent: provisions not restricted to Northern Ireland), before paragraph (a) insert— za section 1, . Representations by senior judges Representations to Parliament 5 A1 The President of the Supreme Court may lay before Parliament written representations on matters that appear to the President to be matters of importance relating to the Supreme Court or to the jurisdiction it exercises. 1 The chief justice of any part of the United Kingdom may lay before Parliament written representations on matters that appear to him to be matters of importance relating to the judiciary, or otherwise to the administration of justice, in that part of the United Kingdom. 2 In relation to Scotland the matters mentioned in subsections (A1) and (1) do not include matters within the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament, unless they are matters to which a Bill for an Act of Parliament relates. 3 In relation to Northern Ireland the matters mentioned in subsections (A1) and (1) do not include transferred matters within the legislative competence of the Northern Ireland Assembly, unless they are matters to which a Bill for an Act of Parliament relates. 4 In subsection (3) the reference to transferred matters has the meaning given by section 4(1) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 (c. 47). 5 In this section “ chief justice ” means— a in relation to England and Wales or Northern Ireland, the Lord Chief Justice of that part of the United Kingdom; b in relation to Scotland, the Lord President of the Court of Session. Representations to the Northern Ireland Assembly 6 1 The Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland may lay before the Northern Ireland Assembly written representations on matters within subsection (2) that appear to him to be matters of importance relating to the judiciary, or otherwise to the administration of justice, in Northern Ireland. 2 The matters are— a excepted or reserved matters to which a Bill for an Act of the Northern Ireland Assembly relates; b transferred matters within the legislative competence of the Northern Ireland Assembly, unless they are matters to which a Bill for an Act of Parliament relates. 3 In subsection (2) references to excepted, reserved and transferred matters have the meaning given by section 4(1) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. Judiciary and courts in England and Wales President of the Courts of England and Wales 7 1 The Lord Chief Justice holds the office of President of the Courts of England and Wales and is Head of the Judiciary of England and Wales. 2 As President of the Courts of England and Wales he is responsible— a for representing the views of the judiciary of England and Wales to Parliament, to the Lord Chancellor and to Ministers of the Crown generally; b for the maintenance of appropriate arrangements for the welfare, training and guidance of the judiciary of England and Wales within the resources made available by the Lord Chancellor; c for the maintenance of appropriate arrangements for the deployment of the judiciary of England and Wales and the allocation of work within courts. 3 The President of the Courts of England and Wales is president of the courts listed in subsection (4) and is entitled to sit in any of those courts. 4 The courts are— the Court of Appeal the High Court the Crown Court the family court the county court the magistrates' courts. 5 In section 1 of the Supreme Court Act 1981 (c. 54), subsection (2)(Lord Chancellor to be president of the Supreme Court of England and Wales) ceases to have effect. Head and Deputy Head of Criminal Justice 8 1 There is to be a Head of Criminal Justice. 2 The Head of Criminal Justice is— a the Lord Chief Justice, or b if the Lord Chief Justice appoints another person, that person. 3 The Lord Chief Justice may appoint a person to be Deputy Head of Criminal Justice. 4 The Lord Chief Justice must not appoint a person under subsection (2)(b) or (3) unless these conditions are met— a the Lord Chief Justice has consulted the Lord Chancellor; b the person to be appointed is a judge of the Court of Appeal. 5 A person appointed under subsection (2)(b) or (3) holds the office to which he is appointed in accordance with the terms of his appointment. Head and Deputy Head of Family Justice 9 1 The President of the Family Division is Head of Family Justice. 2 The Lord Chief Justice may appoint a person to be Deputy Head of Family Justice. 3 The Lord Chief Justice must not appoint a person under subsection (2) unless these conditions are met— a the Lord Chief Justice has consulted the Lord Chancellor; b the person to be appointed is an ordinary judge of the Court of Appeal. 4 A person appointed as Deputy Head of Family Justice holds that office in accordance with the terms of his appointment. Judiciary and courts in Northern Ireland The Lord Chancellor and Northern Ireland courts 10 In the Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978 (c. 23) after section 68 insert— Lord Chancellor's duty 68A 1 The Lord Chancellor is under a duty to ensure that there is an efficient and effective system to support the carrying on of the business of— a the Supreme Court, b county courts, c magistrates' courts, and d coroners' courts, and that appropriate services are provided for those courts. 2 The Lord Chancellor must, within 18 months of the coming into force of this section, and afterwards annually, prepare and lay before both Houses of Parliament a report as to the way in which he has discharged his duty under subsection (1). Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland 11 For subsection (1) of section 12 of the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 (c. 26) (role of the Lord Chief Justice) substitute— 1A The Lord Chief Justice holds the office of President of the Courts of Northern Ireland and is Head of the Judiciary of Northern Ireland. 1B As President of the Courts of Northern Ireland he is responsible— a for representing the views of the judiciary of Northern Ireland to Parliament, the Lord Chancellor and Ministers of the Crown generally; b for representing the views of the judiciary of Northern Ireland to the Northern Ireland Assembly, the First Minister and deputy First Minister and Northern Ireland Ministers; c for the maintenance of appropriate arrangements for the welfare, training and guidance of the judiciary of Northern Ireland within the resources made available by the Lord Chancellor; d for the maintenance of appropriate arrangements for the deployment of the judiciary of Northern Ireland and the allocation of work within courts. 1C The President of the Courts of Northern Ireland is president of the courts listed in subsection (1D) and is entitled to sit in any of those courts. 1D The courts are— the Court of Appeal the High Court the Crown Court the county courts the magistrates' courts. Other provisions about the judiciary and courts Powers to make rules 12 1 Part 1 of Schedule 1 sets out a process for the exercise of rule-making powers. 2 Part 2 of the Schedule contains amendments of Acts that contain rule-making powers. 3 Those amendments— a provide for those powers to be exercised in accordance with the process set out in Part 1 of the Schedule, and b make consequential provision. Powers to give directions 13 1 Part 1 of Schedule 2 sets out a process for the exercise of powers to give directions. 2 Part 2 of the Schedule contains amendments of Acts that contain powers to give directions. 3 Those amendments— a provide for those powers to be exercised in accordance with the process set out in Part 1 of the Schedule, and b make consequential provision. Transfer of appointment functions to Her Majesty 14 Schedule 3 provides for— a Her Majesty instead of the Lord Chancellor to make appointments to certain offices, and b the modification of enactments relating to those offices. Other functions of the Lord Chancellor and organisation of the courts 15 1 Schedule 4 provides for— a the transfer of functions to or from the Lord Chancellor, b the modification of other functions of the Lord Chancellor, c the modification of enactments relating to those functions, and d the modification of enactments relating to the organisation of the courts. 2 Schedule 5 makes similar provision about functions under legislation relating to Northern Ireland. Functions of the Lord Chief Justice during vacancy or incapacity 16 1 This section applies during any period when— a the office of Lord Chief Justice is vacant, or b the Lord Chief Justice is incapacitated. 2 During such a period— a any function of the Lord Chief Justice may be exercised by the senior Head of Division; b anything which falls to be done in relation to the Lord Chief Justice may be done in relation to the senior Head of Division. 3 The senior Head of Division is— a the Master of the Rolls, or b the President of the Queen's Bench Division, if the office in paragraph (a) is vacant, or c the President of the Family Division, if the offices in paragraphs (a) and (b) are vacant, or d the Chancellor of the High Court, if the offices in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) are vacant. 4 For the purposes of this section— a the Lord Chief Justice is to be regarded as incapacitated only if at least three of the Heads of Division declare in writing that they are satisfied that he is incapacitated; b in such a case, the Lord Chief Justice is to be regarded as incapacitated until at least three of the Heads of Division declare in writing that they are satisfied that he is no longer incapacitated. 5 In this section— a “ Lord Chief Justice ” means the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales; b “ incapacitated ”, in relation to the Lord Chief Justice, means unable to exercise the functions of that office; c “ Head of Division ” means each of the office holders referred to in subsection (3). Lord Chancellor's oath Lord Chancellor's oath 17 1 In the Promissory Oaths Act 1868 (c. 72) after section 6 insert— Lord Chancellor's Oath 6A 1 The oath set out in subsection (2) shall be tendered to and taken by the Lord Chancellor, after and in the same manner as the official oath, as soon as may be after his acceptance of office. 2 The oath is— “I, , do swear that in the office of Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain I will respect the rule of law, defend the independence of the judiciary and discharge my duty to ensure the provision of resources for the efficient and effective support of the courts for which I am responsible. So help me God.”. 2 The section inserted by subsection (1) does not apply in the case of acceptance of office before the coming into force of this section. Speakership of the House of Lords Speakership of the House of Lords 18 Schedule 6 contains amendments relating to the Speakership of the House of Lords. Functions subject to transfer, modification or abolition Transfer, modification or abolition of functions by order 19 1 The Lord Chancellor may by order make provision for any of these purposes— a to transfer an existing function of the Lord Chancellor to another person; b to direct that an existing function of the Lord Chancellor is to be exercisable concurrently with another person; c to direct that an existing function of the Lord Chancellor exercisable concurrently with another person is to cease to be exercisable by the Lord Chancellor; d to modify an existing function of the Lord Chancellor; e to abolish an existing function of the Lord Chancellor. 2 An order under subsection (1) may in particular— a amend or repeal any of the following— i an enactment other than one contained in an Act passed, or Northern Ireland legislation passed or made, after the Session in which this Act is passed; ii subordinate legislation other than subordinate legislation made under an Act passed, or Northern Ireland legislation passed or made, after the Session in which this Act is passed; iii any other instrument or document, including a prerogative instrument; b include— i any supplementary, incidental or consequential provision, and ii any transitory, transitional or saving provision, which the Lord Chancellor considers necessary or expedient for the purposes of, in consequence of, or for giving full effect to, provision made under subsection (1). 3 The amendments that may be made by virtue of subsection (2)(a) are in addition to those made by or under any other provision of this Act. 4 An order under subsection (1) may not include provision that may be made under section 1(1) of the Ministers of the Crown Act 1975 (c. 26) (power to transfer functions to other Ministers etc ). 5 An order under subsection (1) may not be made in relation to any function of the Lord Chancellor that is within Schedule 7. 6 An order under subsection (1) may amend Schedule 7 so as to include any function which, by virtue of provision in the order— a becomes exercisable by the Lord Chancellor concurrently with another person, or b is modified. 7 An order under subsection (1) may not, to the extent that it amends Schedule 7, be revoked by another order under subsection (1). 8 In this section— “ existing function ” means any function other than one that is conferred by— an Act passed, or Northern Ireland legislation passed or made, after the Session in which this Act is passed, or subordinate legislation made under an Act passed, or Northern Ireland legislation passed or made, after the Session in which this Act is passed; “ prerogative instrument ” means an Order in Council, warrant, charter or other instrument made under the prerogative. Protected functions not transferable under Ministers of the Crown Act 1975 20 1 The Ministers of the Crown Act 1975 (c. 26) is amended as follows. 2 In section 1 (power by Order in Council to transfer functions of Ministers), after subsection (5) insert— 6 This section does not apply to the functions of the Lord Chancellor that are within Schedule 7 to the Constitutional Reform Act 2005. 7 An Order in Council under this section may amend Schedule 7 to the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 so as to include any function which, by virtue of provision in the Order in Council— a is transferred to the Lord Chancellor, b becomes exercisable by the Lord Chancellor concurrently with another person, or c remains exercisable by the Lord Chancellor but ceases to be exercisable concurrently with another person. 8 An Order in Council under this section may not, to the extent that it amends Schedule 7 to the Constitutional Reform Act 2005, be revoked by another Order in Council under this section. 3 After section 5(3) (Orders under Act to be revocable) insert— 3A Subsection (3) is subject to section 1(8). Amendment of Schedule 7 21 1 The Lord Chancellor may by order amend Schedule 7 so as to include within that Schedule any function of the Lord Chancellor under an enactment, other than an enactment contained in an Act passed, or Northern Ireland legislation passed or made, after the Session in which this Act is passed. 2 For the purposes of subsection (1) it does not matter whether a function of the Lord Chancellor is exercisable by him alone or concurrently with another person. 3 An order made under this section may not be revoked by an order made under this section. Supplementary Transfers: supplementary 22 1 This section applies where a function of the Lord Chancellor is transferred to another person (“ the transferee ”) by any provision of this Act or of an order under section 19 (“the amending provision”). 2 Where the transferee is Her Majesty, references to the transferee in the following provisions of this section are to be read as references to the Lord Chancellor. 3 The transfer does not affect the validity of anything done (or having effect as if done) by or in relation to the Lord Chancellor before the commencement of the amending provision. 4 So far as is necessary in consequence of the transfer, an enactment or instrument passed or made before the commencement of the provision has effect, subject to any amendment made by the amending provision or any other provision of this Act, as if— a a reference to the Lord Chancellor were a reference to the transferee; b a reference to the Lord Chancellor's Department were a reference to the department of the transferee; c a reference to an officer of the Lord Chancellor were a reference to an officer of the transferee. 5 Anything done by or in relation to the Lord Chancellor in connection with the function has effect, so far as is necessary for continuing its effect after the commencement of the amending provision, as if done by or in relation to the transferee. 6 Anything which relates to the function and which is in the process of being done by or in relation to the Lord Chancellor at the commencement of the amending provision may be continued by or in relation to the transferee. 7 Legal proceedings to which the Lord Chancellor is party in relation to the function at the commencement of the amending provision may be continued by or against the transferee. 8 Documents or forms printed for use in connection with the function may be used in connection with it even though they contain (or are to be read as containing) references to the Lord Chancellor, his Department or an officer of his. 9 For the purposes of the use of any such documents after the commencement of the amending provision, those references are to be read as references to the transferee, his department or an officer of his. Part 3 The Supreme Court The Supreme Court The Supreme Court 23 1 There is to be a Supreme Court of the United Kingdom. 2 The Court consists of the persons appointed as its judges by Her Majesty by letters patent , but no appointment may cause the full-time equivalent number of judges of the Court at any time to be more than 12 . 3 Her Majesty may from time to time by Order in Council amend subsection (2) so as to increase or further increase the maximum full-time equivalent number of judges of the Court. 4 No recommendation may be made to Her Majesty in Council to make an Order under subsection (3) unless a draft of the Order has been laid before and approved by resolution of each House of Parliament. 5 Her Majesty may by letters patent appoint one of the judges to be President and one to be Deputy President of the Court. 6 The judges other than the President and Deputy President are to be styled “Justices of the Supreme Court”. 7 The Court is to be taken to be duly constituted despite any vacancy ... in the office of President or Deputy President. 8 For the purposes of this section, the full-time equivalent number of judges of the Court is to be calculated by taking the number of full-time judges and adding, for each judge who is not a full-time judge, such fraction as is reasonable. First members of the Court 24 On the commencement of section 23— a the persons who immediately before that commencement are Lords of Appeal in Ordinary become judges of the Supreme Court, b the person who immediately before that commencement is the senior Lord of Appeal in Ordinary becomes the President of the Court, and c the person who immediately before that commencement is the second senior Lord of Appeal in Ordinary becomes the Deputy President of the Court. Appointment of judges Qualification for appointment 25 1 A person is not qualified to be appointed a judge of the Supreme Court unless he has (at any time)— a held high judicial office for a period of at least 2 years, b been a qualifying practitioner for a period of at least 15 years. b satisfied the judicial-appointment eligibility condition on a 15-year basis, or c been a qualifying practitioner for a period of at least 15 years. 2 A person is a qualifying practitioner for the purposes of this section at any time when— a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . b he is an advocate in Scotland or a solicitor entitled to appear in the Court of Session and the High Court of Justiciary, or c he is a member of the Bar of Northern Ireland or a solicitor of the Court of Judicature of Northern Ireland. Selection of members of the Court 26 1 This section applies to a recommendation for an appointment to one of the following offices— a judge of the Supreme Court; b President of the Court; c Deputy President of the Court. 2 A recommendation may be made only by the Prime Minister. 3 The Prime Minister— a must recommend any person who is selected as a result of the convening of a selection commission under this section ; b may not recommend any other person. 4 Where a person who is not a judge of the Court is recommended for appointment as President or Deputy President, the recommendation must also recommend the person for appointment as a judge. 5 If there is a vacancy in the office of President of the Court or in the office of Deputy President of the Court, or it appears to him that there will soon be such a vacancy, the Lord Chancellor must convene a selection commission for the selection of a person to be recommended. 5A If— a the full-time equivalent number of judges of the Court is less than the maximum specified in section 23(2), or it appears to the Lord Chancellor that the full-time equivalent number of judges of the Court will soon be less than that maximum, and b the Lord Chancellor, or the senior judge of the Court, after consulting the other considers it desirable that a recommendation be made for an appointment to the office of judge of the Court, the Lord Chancellor must convene a selection commission for the selection of a person to be recommended. 5B In subsection (5A)(b) “ the senior judge of the Court ” means— a the President of the Court, or b if there is no President, the Deputy President, or c if there is no President and no Deputy President, the senior ordinary judge. 6 Schedule 8 is about selection commissions. 7 Subsections (5) and (5A) are subject to Schedule 8 (cases where duty to convene a selection commission are suspended). 7A For the purposes of this section and Schedule 8, a person is selected as a result of the convening of a selection commission if the person's selection is the final outcome of— a the selection process mentioned in section 27(1) being applied by the commission, and b any process provided for by regulations under section 27A being applied in the particular case. 8 Section 27 applies where a selection commission is convened under this section. Selection process 27 1 The commission must— a determine the selection process to be applied by it , b apply the selection process, and c make a selection accordingly. 1A The commission must have an odd number of members not less than five. 1B The members of the commission must include— a at least one who is non-legally-qualified, b at least one judge of the Court, c at least one member of the Judicial Appointments Commission, d at least one member of the Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland, and e at least one member of the Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission, and more than one of the requirements may be met by the same person's membership of the commission. 1C If the commission is convened for the selection of a person to be recommended for appointment as President of the Court— a its members may not include the President of the Court, and b it is to be chaired by one of its non-legally-qualified members. 1D If the commission is convened for the selection of a person to be recommended for appointment as Deputy President of the Court, its members may not include the Deputy President of the Court. 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Subsections (5) to (10) apply to any selection under this section or regulations under section 27A . 5 Selection must be on merit. 5A Where two persons are of equal merit— a section 159 of the Equality Act 2010 (positive action: recruitment etc ) does not apply in relation to choosing between them, but b Part 5 of that Act (public appointments etc ) does not prevent the commission from preferring one of them over the other for the purpose of increasing diversity within the group of persons who are the judges of the Court. 6 A person may be selected only if he meets the requirements of section 25. 7 A person may not be selected if he is a member of the commission. 8 In making selections for the appointment of judges of the Court the commission must ensure that between them the judges will have knowledge of, and experience of practice in, the law of each part of the United Kingdom. 9 The commission must have regard to any guidance given by the Lord Chancellor as to matters to be taken into account (subject to any other provision of this Act) in making a selection. 10 Any selection must be of one person only. 11 For the purposes of this section a person is non-legally-qualified if the person— a does not hold, and has never held, any of the offices listed in Schedule 1 to the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 (judicial offices disqualifying for membership of the House of Commons), and b is not practising or employed as a lawyer, and never has practised or been employed as a lawyer. Regulations about selection process 27A 1 The Lord Chancellor must by regulations made with the agreement of the senior judge of the Supreme Court— a make further provision about membership of selection commissions convened under section 26, b make further provision about the process that is to be applied in any case where a selection commission is required to be convened under section 26, and c secure that, in every such case, there will come a point in the process when a selection has to be accepted, either unconditionally or subject only to matters such as the selected person's willingness and availability, by or on behalf of the Lord Chancellor. 2 The regulations may in particular— a provide for process additional to the selection process applied by a selection commission under section 27(1), including post-acceptance process; b make provision as to things that are, or as to things that are not, to be done by a selection commission— i as part of the selection process applied by it under section 27(1), or ii in determining what that process is to be; c provide for the Lord Chancellor to be entitled to require a selection commission to reconsider a selection under section 27(1) or any subsequent selection; d provide for the Lord Chancellor to be entitled to reject a selection under section 27(1) or any subsequent selection; e give other functions to the Lord Chancellor; f provide for particular action to be taken by a selection commission after it has complied with section 27; g provide for the dissolution of a selection commission; h provide for section 16(2)(a) or (b) not to apply in relation to functions of the Lord Chief Justice— i as a member of a selection commission (including functions of chairing a selection commission), or ii in relation to the nomination or appointment of members of a selection commission; i provide for a person to cease to be a member of a selection commission where a requirement about the commission's members ceases to be met by the person's membership of the commission; j provide for a person to become a member of a selection commission already convened where another person ceases to be a member of the commission or where a requirement about the commission's members ceases to be met by another person's membership of the commission; k provide for payment to a member of a selection commission of amounts by way of allowances or expenses; l make provision as to what amounts to practice or employment as a lawyer for the purposes of section 27(11)(b). 3 Before making regulations under this section the Lord Chancellor must consult— a the First Minister in Scotland, b the Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission, c the First Minister for Wales, d the Lord President of the Court of Session, e the Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland, and f the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales. 4 Regulations under this section— a may make different provision for different purposes; b may make transitory, transitional or saving provision. 5 In this section “ the senior judge ”, in relation to the Court, has the meaning given by section 26(5B). Selection guidance: supplementary 27B 1 Before issuing any selection guidance the Lord Chancellor must— a consult the senior judge of the Supreme Court; b after doing so, lay a draft of the proposed guidance before each House of Parliament. 2 If the draft is approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament within the 40-day period the Lord Chancellor must issue the guidance in the form of the draft. 3 In any other case the Lord Chancellor must take no further steps in relation to the proposed guidance. 4 Subsection (3) does not prevent a new draft of the proposed guidance from being laid before each House of Parliament after consultation with the senior judge of the Court. 5 Selection guidance comes into force on such date as the Lord Chancellor may appoint by order. 6 Where selection guidance is in force, the Lord Chancellor may revoke the guidance only by— a new selection guidance issued in accordance with the previous provisions of this section, or b an order made after consulting the senior judge of the Court. 7 In this section— “ 40-day period ” in relation to the draft of any proposed selection guidance means— if the draft is laid before one House on a day later than the day on which it is laid before the other House, the period of 40 days beginning with the later day, and in any other case, the period of 40 days beginning with the day on which the draft is laid before each House, no account being taken of any period during which Parliament is dissolved or prorogued or during which both Houses are adjourned for more than 4 days; “ the senior judge ”, in relation to the Court, has the meaning given by section 26(5B); “ selection guidance ” means guidance mentioned in section 27(9). Report 28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Lord Chancellor's options 29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Exercise of powers to reject or require reconsideration 30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Selection following rejection or requirement to reconsider 31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terms of appointment Oath of allegiance and judicial oath 32 1 A person who is appointed as President of the Court must, as soon as may be after accepting office, take the required oaths in the presence of— a the Deputy President, or b if there is no Deputy President, the senior ordinary judge. 2 A person who is appointed as Deputy President of the Supreme Court must, as soon as may be after accepting office, take the required oaths in the presence of— a the President, or b if there is no President, the senior ordinary judge. 3 A person who is appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court must, as soon as may be after accepting office, take the required oaths in the presence of— a the President, or b if there is no President, the Deputy President, or c if there is no President and no Deputy President, the senior ordinary judge. 4 Subsections (1) and (2) apply whether or not the person appointed as President or Deputy President has previously taken the required oaths in accordance with this section after accepting another office. 5 Subsection (3) does not apply where a person is first appointed as a judge of the Court upon appointment to the office of President or Deputy President. 6 In this section “ required oaths ” means— a the oath of allegiance, and b the judicial oath, as set out in the Promissory Oaths Act 1868 (c. 72). Tenure 33 A judge of the Supreme Court holds that office during good behaviour, but may be removed from it on the address of both Houses of Parliament. Salaries and allowances 34 1 A judge of the Supreme Court is entitled to a salary. 2 The amount of the salary is to be determined by the Lord Chancellor with the agreement of the Treasury. 3 Until otherwise determined under subsection (2), the amount is that of the salary of a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary immediately before the commencement of section 23. 4 A determination under subsection (2) may increase but not reduce the amount. 5 Salaries payable under this section are to be charged on and paid out of the Consolidated Fund of the United Kingdom. 6 Any allowance determined by the Lord Chancellor with the agreement of the Treasury may be paid to a judge of the Court out of money provided by Parliament. Resignation and retirement 35 1 A judge of the Supreme Court may at any time resign that office by giving the Lord Chancellor notice in writing to that effect. 2 The President or Deputy President of the Court may at any time resign that office (whether or not he resigns his office as a judge) by giving the Lord Chancellor notice in writing to that effect. 3 In section 26(4)(a) of and Schedule 5 to the Judicial Pensions and Retirement Act 1993 (c. 8) (retirement), for “Lord of Appeal in Ordinary” substitute “Judge of the Supreme Court” . Medical retirement 36 1 This section applies if the Lord Chancellor is satisfied by means of a medical certificate that a person holding office as a judge of the Supreme Court— a is disabled by permanent infirmity from the performance of the duties of his office, and b is for the time being incapacitated from resigning his office. 2 The Lord Chancellor may by instrument under his hand declare the person's office to have been vacated. 3 A declaration by instrument under subsection (2) has the same effect for all purposes as if the person had, on the date of the instrument, resigned his office. 4 But such a declaration has no effect unless it is made— a in the case of an ordinary judge, with the agreement of the President and Deputy President of the Court; b in the case of the President, with the agreement of the Deputy President and the senior ordinary judge; c in the case of the Deputy President, with the agreement of the President and the senior ordinary judge. Pensions 37 1 In the tables in sections 1 and 16 of the Judicial Pensions Act 1981 (c. 20) (application and interpretation), for “Lord of Appeal in Ordinary”— a in the first column, substitute “ Judge of the Supreme Court ” , and b in the second column, in each place substitute “ judge of the Supreme Court ” . 2 In Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the Judicial Pensions and Retirement Act 1993 (qualifying judicial offices: judges), for “Lord of Appeal in Ordinary” substitute “Judge of the Supreme Court” . 3 The amendments made by this section to the 1981 and 1993 Acts do not affect the operation of any provision of or made under those Acts, or anything done under such provision, in relation to the office of, or service as, Lord of Appeal in Ordinary. Acting judges Acting judges 38 1 At the request of the President of the Supreme Court any of the following may act as a judge of the Court— a a person who holds office as a senior territorial judge; b a member of the supplementary panel under section 39. 2 A request under subsection (1) may be made by the Deputy President of the Court if there is no President or the President is unable to make that request. 3 In section 26(7) of the Judicial Pensions and Retirement Act 1993 (c. 8) (requirement not to act in certain capacities after the age of 75) for paragraph (b) substitute— b act as a judge of the Supreme Court under section 38 of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005; . 4 Every person while acting under this section is, subject to subsections (5) and (6), to be treated for all purposes as a judge of the Supreme Court (and so may perform any of the functions of a judge of the Court). 5 A person is not to be treated under subsection (4) as a judge of the Court for the purposes of any statutory provision relating to— a the appointment, retirement, removal or disqualification of judges of the Court, b the tenure of office and oaths to be taken by judges of the Court, or c the remuneration, allowances or pensions of judges of the Court. 6 Subject to section 27 of the Judicial Pensions and Retirement Act 1993, a person is not to be treated under subsection (4) as having been a judge of the Court if he has acted in the Court only under this section. 7 Such remuneration and allowances as the Lord Chancellor may with the agreement of the Treasury determine may be paid out of money provided by Parliament to any person who acts as a judge of the Court under this section. 8 In this section “ office as a senior territorial judge ” means office as any of the following— a a judge of the Court of Appeal in England and Wales; b a judge of the Court of Session, but only if the holder of the office is a member of the First or Second Division of the Inner House of that Court; c a judge of the Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland, unless the holder holds the office only by virtue of being a puisne judge of the High Court. Supplementary panel 39 1 There is to be a panel of persons known as the supplementary panel. 2 On the commencement of this section any member of the House of Lords who— a meets one of the conditions in subsection (3), b does not hold high judicial office, c has not attained the age of 75, and d is not a person who was appointed to the office of Lord Chancellor on or after 12 June 2003, becomes a member of the panel. 3 The conditions are— a that he ceased to hold high judicial office less than 5 years before the commencement of this section; b that he was a member of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council immediately before that commencement; c that he ceased to be a member of that Committee less than 5 years before that commencement. 4 A person becomes a member of the supplementary panel on ceasing to hold office as a judge of the Supreme Court or as a senior territorial judge, but only if, while he holds such office or within 2 years of ceasing to hold such office — a his membership of the panel is approved in writing by the President of the Supreme Court, and b the President of the Court gives the Lord Chancellor notice in writing of the approval. 5 Subsection (4) does not apply to a person who ceases to hold office as a judge of the Supreme Court when he ceases to be President of the Court. 6 Such a person becomes a member of the supplementary panel on ceasing to be President of the Court, unless— a while President, he gives the Lord Chancellor notice that he is not to become a member of the panel, b he ceases to be President on being removed from office as a judge of the Court on the address of both Houses of Parliament, or c his office is declared vacant under section 36. 7 A person does not become a member of the supplementary panel under subsection (4) or (6) if— a on ceasing to hold office as a judge of the Supreme Court he takes office as a senior territorial judge, or b on ceasing to hold office as a senior territorial judge he takes office as a judge of the Supreme Court. 8 A member of the supplementary panel may resign by notice in writing to the President of the Court. 9 Unless he resigns (and subject to sections 26(7)(b) and 27 of the Judicial Pensions and Retirement Act 1993 (c. 8)), a person ceases to be a member of the supplementary panel— a at the end of 5 years after the last day on which he holds his qualifying office, or b if earlier, at the end of the day on which he attains the age of 75. 10 In this section— a “ office as a senior territorial judge ” has the same meaning as in section 38; b a person's “ qualifying office ” is the office (that is, high judicial office, membership of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, office as a judge of the Supreme Court or office as a senior territorial judge) that he held before becoming a member of the supplementary panel. Jurisdiction, relation to other courts etc Jurisdiction 40 1 The Supreme Court is a superior court of record. 2 An appeal lies to the Court from any order or judgment of the Court of Appeal in England and Wales in civil proceedings. 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Schedule 9— a transfers other jurisdiction from the House of Lords to the Court, b transfers devolution jurisdiction from the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council to the Court, and c makes other amendments relating to jurisdiction. 5 The Court has power to determine any question necessary to be determined for the purposes of doing justice in an appeal to it under any enactment. 6 An appeal under subsection (2) lies only with the permission of the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court; but this is subject to provision under any other enactment restricting such an appeal. Relation to other courts etc 41 1 Nothing in this Part is to affect the distinctions between the separate legal systems of the parts of the United Kingdom. 2 A decision of the Supreme Court on appeal from a court of any part of the United Kingdom, other than a decision on a devolution matter, is to be regarded as the decision of a court of that part of the United Kingdom. 3 A decision of the Supreme Court on a devolution matter— a is not binding on that Court when making such a decision; b otherwise, is binding in all legal proceedings. 4 In this section “ devolution matter ” means— a a question referred to the Supreme Court under section ... 99 or 112 of the Government of Wales Act 2006, section 33 of the Scotland Act 1998 (c. 46) or section 11 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 (c. 47); b a devolution issue as defined in Schedule 9 to the Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 38), Schedule 6 to the Scotland Act 1998 or Schedule 10 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998. Composition for proceedings Composition 42 1 The Supreme Court is duly constituted in any proceedings only if all of the following conditions are met— a the Court consists of an uneven number of judges; b the Court consists of at least three judges; c more than half of those judges are permanent judges. 2 Paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (1) are subject to any directions that in specified proceedings the Court is to consist of a specified number of judges that is both uneven and greater than three. 3 Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) is subject to any directions that in specified descriptions of proceedings the Court is to consist of a specified minimum number of judges that is greater than three. 4 This section is subject to section 43. 5 In this section— a “ directions ” means directions given by the President of the Court; b “ specified ”, in relation to directions, means specified in those directions; c references to permanent judges are references to those judges of the Court who are not acting judges under section 38. 6 This section and section 43 apply to the constitution of the Court in any proceedings from the time judges are designated to hear the proceedings. Changes in composition 43 1 This section applies if in any proceedings the Court ceases to be duly constituted in accordance with section 42, or in accordance with a direction under this section, because one or more members of the Court are unable to continue. 2 The presiding judge may direct that the Court is still duly constituted in the proceedings. 3 The presiding judge may give a direction under this section only if— a the parties agree; b the Court still consists of at least three judges (whether the number of judges is even or uneven); c at least half of those judges are permanent judges. 4 Subsections (2) and (3) are subject to directions given by the President of the Court. 5 If in any proceedings the Court is duly constituted under this section with an even number of judges, and those judges are evenly divided, the case is to be re-argued in a Court which is constituted in accordance with section 42. 6 In this section— a “ presiding judge ” means the judge who is to preside, or is presiding, over proceedings; b references to permanent judges have the same meaning as in section 42. Practice and procedure Specially qualified advisers 44 1 If the Supreme Court thinks it expedient in any proceedings, it may hear and dispose of the proceedings wholly or partly with the assistance of one or more specially qualified advisers appointed by it. 2 Any remuneration payable to such an adviser is to be determined by the Court unless agreed between the adviser and the parties to the proceedings. 3 Any remuneration forms part of the costs of the proceedings. Making of rules 45 1 The President of the Supreme Court may make rules (to be known as “ Supreme Court Rules ”) governing the practice and procedure to be followed in the Court. 2 The power to make Supreme Court Rules includes power to make different provision for different cases, including different provision— a for different descriptions of proceedings, or b for different jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. 3 The President must exercise the power to make Supreme Court Rules with a view to securing that— a the Court is accessible, fair and efficient, and b the rules are both simple and simply expressed. 4 Before making Supreme Court Rules the President must consult all of the following— a the Lord Chancellor; b the bodies listed in subsection (5); c such other bodies that represent persons likely to be affected by the Rules as the President considers it appropriate to consult. 5 The bodies referred to in subsection (4)(b) are— The General Council of the Bar of England and Wales; The Law Society of England and Wales; The Faculty of Advocates of Scotland; The Law Society of Scotland; The General Council of the Bar of Northern Ireland; The Law Society of Northern Ireland. Procedure after rules made 46 1 Supreme Court Rules made by the President of the Supreme Court must be submitted by him to the Lord Chancellor. 2 Supreme Court Rules submitted to the Lord Chancellor— a come into force on such day as the Lord Chancellor directs, and b are to be contained in a statutory instrument to which the Statutory Instruments Act 1946 (c. 36) applies as if the instrument contained rules made by a Minister of the Crown. 3 A statutory instrument containing Supreme Court Rules is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament. Photography etc 47 1 In section 41 of the Criminal Justice Act 1925 (c. 86) (prohibition on taking photographs etc in court), for subsection (2)(a) substitute— a the expression “ court ” means any court of justice (including the court of a coroner), apart from the Supreme Court; . 2 In section 29 of the Criminal Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 1945 (c. 15 N.I.) (prohibition on taking photographs etc in court), for subsection (2)(a) substitute— a the expression “ court ” means any court of justice (including the court of a coroner), apart from the Supreme Court; . Staff and resources Chief executive 48 1 The Supreme Court is to have a chief executive. 2 It is for the President of the Court to appoint the chief executive. 3 The President of the Court may delegate to the chief executive any of these functions— a functions of the President under section 49(1) or 51A(1)(a) or (b) ; b non-judicial functions of the Court. 4 The chief executive must carry out his functions (under subsection (3) or otherwise) in accordance with any directions given by the President of the Court. Officers and staff 49 1 The President of the Supreme Court may appoint officers and staff of the Court. 2 It is for the chief executive of the Supreme Court to determine the following matters— a the number of officers and staff of the Court; b subject to subsections (2A) and (3), the terms on which officers and staff are to be appointed. 2A Service as the chief executive of the Court, and service as an officer or staff appointed under subsection (1), is service in the civil service of the State. 3 Accordingly, the civil service pension arrangements for the time being in force apply (with any necessary adaptations) to the chief executive of the Court, and to persons appointed under subsection (1), as they apply to other persons employed in the civil service of the State. 4 In subsection (3) “ the civil service pension arrangements ” means— a the principal civil service pension scheme (within the meaning of section 2 of the Superannuation Act 1972 (c. 11), and b any other superannuation benefits for which provision is made under or by virtue of section 1 of that Act for or in respect of persons in employment in the civil service of the State. Accommodation and other resources 50 1 The Lord Chancellor must ensure that the Supreme Court is provided with the following— a such court-houses, offices and other accommodation as the Lord Chancellor thinks are appropriate for the Court to carry on its business; b such other resources as the Lord Chancellor thinks are appropriate for the Court to carry on its business. 2 The Lord Chancellor may discharge the duty under subsection (1) by— a providing accommodation or other resources, or b entering into arrangements with any other person for the provision of accommodation or other resources. 3 The powers to acquire land for the public service conferred by— a section 2 of the Commissioners of Works Act 1852 (c. 28) (acquisition by agreement), and b section 228(1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (c. 8) (compulsory acquisition), are to be treated as including power to acquire land for the purpose of its provision under arrangements under subsection (2)(b). 4 The Scottish Ministers may make payments by way of contribution to the costs incurred by the Lord Chancellor in providing the Court with resources in accordance with subsection (1)(b). 5 In this section “ court-house ” means any place where the Court sits, including the precincts of any building in which it sits. System to support Court in carrying on business 51 1 The chief executive of the Supreme Court must ensure that the Court's resources are used to provide an efficient and effective system to support the Court in carrying on its business. 2 In particular— a appropriate services must be provided for the Court; b the accommodation provided under section 50 must be appropriately equipped, maintained and managed. Court security Security officers 51A 1 A Supreme Court security officer is a person who is— a appointed by the President of the Supreme Court under section 49(1) or provided under a contract, and b designated by the President as a Supreme Court security officer. 2 The President may give directions as to— a training courses to be completed by Supreme Court security officers; b conditions to be met before a person may be designated as a Supreme Court security officer. 3 For the purposes of sections 51B to 51E, a Supreme Court security officer who is not readily identifiable as such (whether by means of uniform or badge or otherwise) is not to be regarded as acting in the execution of the officer's duty. 4 In those sections “ court building ” means any building— a where the business of the Supreme Court, or of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, is carried on, and b to which the public has access. Powers of search, exclusion, removal and restraint 51B 1 A Supreme Court security officer acting in the execution of the officer's duty may search— a any person who is in, or seeking to enter, a court building, and b any article in the possession of such a person. 2 Subsection (1) does not authorise a Supreme Court security officer to require a person to remove any of the person's clothing other than a coat, jacket, headgear, gloves or footwear. 3 A Supreme Court security officer acting in the execution of the officer's duty may exclude or remove from a court building, or a part of a court building, any person who refuses— a to permit a search under subsection (1), or b to surrender an article in the person's possession when asked to do so under section 51C(1). 4 A Supreme Court security officer acting in the execution of the officer's duty may— a restrain any person who is in a court building, or b exclude or remove any person from a court building, or a part of a court building, if it is reasonably necessary to do so for one of the purposes given in subsection (5). 5 The purposes are— a enabling business of the Supreme Court, or of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, to be carried on without interference or delay; b maintaining order; c securing the safety of any person in the court building. 6 A Supreme Court security officer acting in the execution of the officer's duty may remove any person from a courtroom at the request of— a a judge of the Supreme Court, or b a member of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. 7 The powers given by subsections (3), (4) and (6) include power to use reasonable force, where necessary. Surrender, seizure and retention of knives and other articles 51C 1 If a Supreme Court security officer acting in the execution of the officer's duty reasonably believes that an article in the possession of a person who is in, or seeking to enter, a court building ought to be surrendered on any of the grounds given in subsection (2), the officer must ask the person to surrender the article; and, if the person refuses to surrender the article, the officer may seize it. 2 The grounds are that the article— a may jeopardise the maintenance of order in the court building (or a part of it), b may put the safety of any person in the court building at risk, or c may be evidence of, or in relation to, an offence. 3 Subject to subsection (4), a Supreme Court security officer may retain an article which was— a surrendered in response to a request under subsection (1), or b seized under that subsection, until the time when the person who surrendered it, or from whom it was seized, is leaving the court building. 4 If a Supreme Court security officer reasonably believes that the article may be evidence of, or in relation to, an offence, the officer may retain it until— a the time when the person who surrendered it, or from whom it was seized, is leaving the court building, or b the end of the permitted period, whichever is the later. 5 In subsection (4) “ the permitted period ” means such period, not exceeding 24 hours from the time the article was surrendered or seized, as will enable the Supreme Court security officer to draw the article to the attention of a constable. 6 Subsections (3) to (5) do not apply where a knife is— a surrendered to a Supreme Court security officer in response to a request under subsection (1), or b seized by a Supreme Court security officer under that subsection, but, instead, the knife must be retained in accordance with regulations under section 51D(3) unless returned or disposed of in accordance with those regulations or regulations under section 51D(1). 7 If a Supreme Court security officer reasonably believes that a retained knife may be evidence of, or in relation to, an offence, nothing in subsection (6) prevents the officer retaining the knife for so long as necessary to enable the officer to draw it to the attention of a constable. 8 In this section “ knife ” includes— a a knife-blade, and b any other article which— i has a blade or is sharply pointed, and ii is made or adapted for use for causing injury to the person. Regulations about retention of knives and other articles 51D 1 The Lord Chancellor may by regulations make provision as to— a the provision to persons— i by whom articles have been surrendered in response to a request under subsection (1) of section 51C, or ii from whom articles have been seized under that subsection, of written information about the powers of retention of Supreme Court security officers, b the keeping of records about articles which have been so surrendered or seized, c the period for which unclaimed articles have to be kept, and d the disposal of unclaimed articles at the end of that period. 2 In subsection (1) “ unclaimed article ” means an article— a which has been retained under section 51C, b which a person is entitled to have returned, c which has not been returned, and d whose return has not been requested by a person entitled to it. 3 Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), the Lord Chancellor must by regulations make provision as to— a the procedure to be followed when a knife is retained under section 51C; b the making of requests by eligible persons for the return of knives so retained; c the procedure to be followed when returning a knife pursuant to a request made in accordance with the regulations. 4 In subsection (3)— “ eligible person ”, in relation to a knife retained under section 51C, means— the person who surrendered the knife under subsection (1) of section 51C or from whom the knife was seized under that subsection, or any other person specified in regulations under subsection (3); “ knife ” has the same meaning as in section 51C. Assaulting and obstructing Supreme Court security officers 51E 1 Any person who assaults a Supreme Court security officer acting in the execution of the officer's duty commits an offence. 2 A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) is liable on summary conviction— a to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or b to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, or c to both. 3 Subsection (2) applies— a in England and Wales in relation to offences committed before 2 May 2022 , and b in Northern Ireland, as if the reference to 12 months were a reference to 6 months. 4 A person who resists or wilfully obstructs a Supreme Court security officer acting in the execution of the officer's duty commits an offence. 5 A person guilty of an offence under subsection (4) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale. Fees Fees 52 1 The Lord Chancellor may, with the agreement of the Treasury, by order prescribe fees payable in respect of anything dealt with by the Supreme Court. 2 An order under this section may, in particular, contain provision about— a scales or rates of fees; b exemptions from fees; c reductions in fees; d whole or partial remission of fees. 3 When including any provision in an order under this section, the Lord Chancellor must have regard to the principle that access to the courts must not be denied. 4 Before making an order under this section, the Lord Chancellor must consult all of the following— a the persons listed in subsection (5); b the bodies listed in subsection (6). 5 The persons referred to in subsection (4)(a) are— a the President of the Supreme Court; b the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales; c the Master of the Rolls; d the Lord President of the Court of Session; e the Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland; f the Lord Justice Clerk; g the President of the Queen's Bench Division; h the President of the Family Division; i the Chancellor of the High Court. 6 The bodies referred to in subsection (4)(b) are— a the General Council of the Bar of England and Wales; b the Law Society of England and Wales; c the Faculty of Advocates of Scotland; d the Law Society of Scotland; e the General Council of the Bar of Northern Ireland; f the Law Society of Northern Ireland. Fees: supplementary 53 1 Supreme Court fees are recoverable summarily as a civil debt. 2 The Lord Chancellor must take such steps as are reasonably practicable to bring information about Supreme Court fees to the attention of persons likely to have to pay them. 3 In this section “ Supreme Court fees ” means fees prescribed in an order under section 52. Annual report Annual report 54 1 As soon as practicable after each financial year, the chief executive of the Supreme Court must prepare a report about the business of the Supreme Court during that year and give a copy of that report to the following persons— a the Lord Chancellor; b the First Minister in Scotland; c the First Minister and the deputy First Minister in Northern Ireland; d the First Minister for Wales . 2 The Lord Chancellor must lay a copy of any report of which a copy is given under subsection (1)(a) before each House of Parliament. 3 Each of the following is a “ financial year ” for the purposes of this section— a the period which begins with the date on which this section comes into force and ends with the following 31 March; b each successive period of 12 months. Supplementary Seal 55 1 The Supreme Court is to have an official seal. 2 Every document purporting to be sealed with the official seal of the Supreme Court is to be received in evidence in all parts of the United Kingdom without further proof. Records of the Supreme Court 56 1 The Public Records Act 1958 (c. 51) is amended as follows. 2 In section 8 (court records)— a in subsection (1) after “such records” insert “other than records of the Supreme Court,” ; b after subsection (1) insert— 1A Records of the Supreme Court for which the Lord Chancellor is responsible under subsection (1) shall be in the custody of the chief executive of that court. 3 In Schedule 1 (definition of public records), in paragraph 4 (records of courts and tribunals), before sub-paragraph (1)(a) insert— za records of the Supreme Court; . Proceedings under jurisdiction transferred to the Supreme Court 57 Schedule 10 contains transitional provision relating to proceedings under jurisdiction which is transferred to the Supreme Court by this Act from the House of Lords or the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. Northern Ireland Act 1998: excepted and reserved matters relating to the Supreme Court 58 1 The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (c. 47) is amended as follows. 2 In Schedule 2 (excepted matters), after paragraph 11 insert— 11A The Supreme Court. 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Renaming of Supreme Courts of England and Wales and Northern Ireland 59 1 The Supreme Court of England and Wales is renamed the Senior Courts of England and Wales. 2 The Supreme Court of Judicature of Northern Ireland is renamed the Court of Judicature of Northern Ireland. 3 The Northern Ireland Supreme Court Rules Committee is renamed the Northern Ireland Court of Judicature Rules Committee. 4 Any reference in an enactment, instrument or other document to a court or committee renamed by this section is to be read, so far as necessary for continuing its effect, as a reference to the Senior Courts, the Court of Judicature or the Northern Ireland Court of Judicature Rules Committee (as the case may be). 5 Schedule 11 (which makes amendments in connection with the renaming) has effect. 6 Unless otherwise provided, amendments made by an enactment (A) (whether or not in force) to another enactment (B)— a are not included in references in that Schedule to enactment A; b are included in references in that Schedule to enactment B. Interpretation of Part 3 60 1 In this Part— “ part of the United Kingdom ” means England and Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland; “ the senior judges ” means— the judges of the Supreme Court; the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales; the Master of the Rolls; the Lord President of the Court of Session; the Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland; the Lord Justice Clerk; the President of the Queen's Bench Division; the President of the Family Division; the Chancellor of the High Court; “ the Supreme Court ” means the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom. 2 In this Part— a “ high judicial office ” means office as a judge of any of the following courts— i the Supreme Court; ii the Court of Appeal in England and Wales; iii the High Court in England and Wales; iv the Court of Session; v the Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland; vi the High Court in Northern Ireland; or as a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary; b a person appointed to the office of Lord Chancellor on or after 12 June 2003 who holds, or held, office of a kind referred to in paragraph (a) (“the qualifying office”) is to be regarded as holding, or having held, high judicial office only if— i he has ceased to be Lord Chancellor by virtue of that appointment, and ii he holds, or held, the qualifying office otherwise than by virtue of that appointment as Lord Chancellor. 3 In this Part— a “ ordinary judge ” means a judge of the Supreme Court who is not the President or the Deputy President of the Court; b the senior ordinary judge at any time is, of the ordinary judges at that time, the one who has served longest as a judge of the Court (whether over one or more periods and whether or not including one or more previous periods as President or Deputy President). 4 Service as a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary counts as service as a judge of the Court for the purposes of subsection (3)(b). 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Part 4 Judicial appointments and discipline Chapter 1 Commission and Ombudsman The Judicial Appointments Commission 61 1 There is to be a body corporate called the Judicial Appointments Commission. 2 Schedule 12 is about the Commission. Judicial Appointments and Conduct Ombudsman 62 1 There is to be a Judicial Appointments and Conduct Ombudsman. 2 Schedule 13 is about the Ombudsman. Chapter 2 Appointments General provisions Merit and good character 63 1 Subsections (2) to (4) apply to any selection under this Part by the Commission or a selection panel (“the selecting body”). 2 Selection must be solely on merit. 3 A person must not be selected unless the selecting body is satisfied that he is of good character. 4 Neither “solely” in subsection (2), nor Part 5 of the Equality Act 2010 (public appointments etc ), prevents the selecting body, where two persons are of equal merit, from preferring one of them over the other for the purpose of increasing diversity within— a the group of persons who hold offices for which there is selection under this Part, or b a sub-group of that group. Encouragement of diversity 64 1 The Commission, in performing its functions under this Part, must have regard to the need to encourage diversity in the range of persons available for selection for appointments. 2 This section is subject to section 63. Guidance about procedures 65 1 The Lord Chancellor may issue guidance about procedures for the performance by the Commission or a selection panel of its functions of— a identifying persons willing to be considered for selection under this Part, and b assessing such persons for the purposes of selection. 2 The guidance may, among other things, relate to consultation or other steps in determining such procedures. 3 The purposes for which guidance may be issued under this section include the encouragement of diversity in the range of persons available for selection. 4 The Commission and any selection panel must have regard to the guidance in matters to which it relates. Guidance: supplementary 66 1 Before issuing any guidance the Lord Chancellor must— a obtain the agreement of the Lord Chief Justice; b after doing so, lay a draft of the proposed guidance before each House of Parliament. 2 If the draft is approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament within the 40-day period the Lord Chancellor must issue the guidance in the form of the draft. 3 In any other case the Lord Chancellor must take no further steps in relation to the proposed guidance. 4 Subsection (3) does not prevent a new draft of the proposed guidance from being laid before each House of Parliament after consultation with the Lord Chief Justice. 5 Guidance comes into force on such date as the Lord Chancellor may appoint by order. 6 The Lord Chancellor may— a from time to time revise the whole or part of any guidance and re-issue it; b after consulting the Lord Chief Justice, by order revoke any guidance. 7 In this section— “ 40-day period ” in relation to the draft of any proposed guidance means— if the draft is laid before one House on a day later than the day on which it is laid before the other House, the period of 40 days beginning with the later day, and in any other case, the period of 40 days beginning with the day on which the draft is laid before each House, no account being taken of any period during which Parliament is dissolved or prorogued or during which both Houses are adjourned for more than 4 days; “ guidance ” means guidance issued by the Lord Chancellor under section 65 and includes guidance which has been revised and re-issued. Lord Chief Justice and Heads of Division Selection of Lord Chief Justice and Heads of Division 67 1 Sections 68 to 70 apply to a recommendation for an appointment to one of the following offices— a Lord Chief Justice; b Master of the Rolls; c President of the Queen's Bench Division; d President of the Family Division; e Chancellor of the High Court. 2 Any such recommendation must be made in accordance with those sections and section 94C and regulations made under it . Duty to fill vacancies 68 1 The Lord Chancellor must make a recommendation to fill any vacancy in the office of Lord Chief Justice. 2 The Lord Chancellor must make a recommendation to fill any vacancy in any other office listed in section 67(1). 3 Subsection (2) does not apply to a vacancy while the Lord Chief Justice agrees that it may remain unfilled. Request for selection 69 1 The Lord Chancellor may make a request to the Commission for a person to be selected for a recommendation to which this section applies. 2 Before making a request the Lord Chancellor must consult the Lord Chief Justice. 3 Subsection (2) does not apply where the office of Lord Chief Justice is vacant or where the Lord Chief Justice is incapacitated for the purposes of section 16 (functions during vacancy or incapacity). 4 Section 70 applies where the Lord Chancellor makes a request under this section. 5 That section is subject to section 95 (withdrawal and modification of requests). Selection process 70 1 On receiving a request the Commission must appoint a selection panel. 1A The panel must have an odd number of members not less than five. 1B The members of the panel must include— a at least two who are non-legally-qualified, b at least two judicial members, and c at least two members of the Commission, and contributions to meeting more than one of the requirements may be made by the same person's membership of the panel. 1C The members of the panel may not include the current holder of the office for which a selection is to be made. 1D If the panel is convened for the selection of a person to be recommended for appointment as Lord Chief Justice, it is to be chaired by one of its non-legally-qualified members. 2 The panel must— a determine the selection process to be applied by it , b apply the selection process, and c make a selection accordingly. 2A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 One person only must be selected for each recommendation to which a request relates. 4 Subsection (3) applies to selection under this section and to selection under regulations under section 94C . 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 A selection panel is a committee of the Commission. Selection panel for appointment of Lord Chief Justice 71 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Selection panel for appointment of Head of Division 71A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sections 71 and 71A: diversity and interpretation 71B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Report 72 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Lord Chancellor's options 73 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Exercise of powers to reject or require reconsideration 74 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Selection following rejection or requirement to reconsider 75 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Senior President of Tribunals Sections 75B to 75G apply where request made for selection 75A 1 Section 75B applies where the Lord Chancellor makes a request to the Commission under paragraph 2(5) of Schedule 1 to the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 (request for person to be selected for recommendation for appointment to the office of Senior President of Tribunals). 2 That section is subject to section 95 (withdrawal and modification of requests). Selection process 75B 1 On receiving a request the Commission must appoint a selection panel. 1A The panel must have an odd number of members not less than five. 1B The members of the panel must include— a at least two who are non-legally-qualified, b at least two judicial members, and c at least two members of the Commission, and contributions to meeting more than one of the requirements may be made by the same person's membership of the panel. 1C The members of the panel may not include the Senior President of Tribunals. 2 The panel must — a determine the selection process to be applied by it , b apply the selection process, and c make a selection accordingly. 3 As part of the selection process the panel must consult— a the Lord Chief Justice, if not a member of the panel, b the Lord President of the Court of Session, if not a member of the panel, and c the Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland, if not a member of the panel. 4 One person only must be selected for the recommendation to which a request relates. 5 Subsection (4) applies to selection under this section and to selection under regulations under section 94C . 6 A selection panel is a committee of the Commission. Selection panel 75C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Report 75D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Lord Chancellor's options 75E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Exercise of powers to reject or require reconsideration 75F . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Selection following rejection or requirement to reconsider 75G . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lords Justices of Appeal Selection of Lords Justices of Appeal 76 1 Sections 77 to 79 apply to a recommendation for appointment as a Lord Justice of Appeal. 2 Any such recommendation must be made in accordance with those sections and section 94C and regulations made under it . Duty to fill vacancies 77 1 The Lord Chancellor must make a recommendation to fill any vacancy in the office of Lord Justice of Appeal. 2 Subsection (1) does not apply to a vacancy while the Lord Chief Justice agrees that it may remain unfilled. Request for selection 78 1 The Lord Chancellor may make a request to the Commission for a person to be selected for a recommendation for appointment as a Lord Justice of Appeal. 2 Before making a request the Lord Chancellor must consult the Lord Chief Justice. 3 A request may relate to more than one recommendation. 4 Section 79 applies where the Lord Chancellor makes a request under this section. 5 That section is subject to section 95 (withdrawal and modification of requests). Selection process 79 1 On receiving a request the Commission must appoint a selection panel. 1A The panel must have an odd number of members not less than five. 1B The members of the panel must include— a at least two who are non-legally-qualified, b at least two judicial members, and c at least two members of the Commission, and contributions to meeting more than one of the requirements may be made by the same person's membership of the panel. 2 The panel must— a determine the selection process to be applied by it , b apply the selection process, and c make a selection accordingly. 3 One person only must be selected for each recommendation to which a request relates. 4 Subsection (3) applies to selection under this section and to selection under regulations under section 94C . 5 A selection panel is a committee of the Commission. Selection panel 80 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Report 81 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Lord Chancellor's options 82 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Exercise of powers to reject or require reconsideration 83 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Selection following rejection or requirement to reconsider 84 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Puisne judges and other office holders Selection of puisne judges and other office holders 85 1 Sections 86 to 88 apply to— a a recommendation for an appointment to the office of puisne judge of the High Court; b a recommendation for an appointment to an office listed in Part 1 of Schedule 14 in exercise of Her Majesty's function under the enactment listed opposite that office; c an appointment to an office listed in Table 1 of Part 2 or 3 of that Schedule in exercise of the Lord Chancellor's function under the enactment listed opposite that office. d an appointment to an office listed in Table 2 of Part 2 of that Schedule in exercise of the Lord Chief Justice's function under the enactment listed opposite that office; e an appointment to an office listed in Table 2 of Part 3 of that Schedule in exercise of the function of the Senior President of Tribunals under the enactment listed opposite that office. 2 Any such recommendation or appointment must be made in accordance with those sections and section 94C and regulations made under it . 2A This section is subject to— a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . b section 91(1ZB) of the Supreme Court Act 1981, c . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . d section 94AA below. 3 The Lord Chancellor may by order make any of the following amendments to Schedule 14— a an amendment which adds a reference to an enactment under which appointments are made to an office; b an amendment which adds a reference to an office to which appointments are made under an enactment; c an amendment consequential on the abolition or change of name of an office; d an amendment consequential on the substitution of one or more enactments for an enactment under which appointments are made to an office. 4 The Lord Chancellor may by order amend section ... 94AA ... if he thinks that the amendment is consequential on an amendment made to Schedule 14 by an order under subsection (3). 5 The Lord Chancellor may by order provide that this section does not apply to appointments to an office listed in Schedule 14 that is specified in the order. 6 An office may not be specified in an order under subsection (5) if— a the provisions governing appointment to the office provide that a person is eligible for appointment only where the person satisfies the single condition specified in the provisions, and b that condition is one of the conditions listed in subsection (8). 7 An office may not be specified in an order under subsection (5) if— a the provisions governing appointment to the office provide that a person is eligible for appointment only where the person satisfies one or some other particular number or all, or at least one or at least some other particular number, of several conditions specified in the provisions, and b at least one of the conditions specified in the provisions is listed in subsection (8). 8 The conditions are— a that the person satisfies the judicial-appointment eligibility condition on an N-year basis (where N is a particular number); b that the person is a solicitor in Scotland of at least a particular number of years' standing; c that the person is an advocate in Scotland of at least a particular number of years' standing; d that the person is a solicitor in Northern Ireland of at least a particular number of years' standing; e that the person is a barrister in Northern Ireland of at least a particular number of years' standing. 9 Before making an order under subsection (5) the Lord Chancellor must consult the Lord Chief Justice, the Lord President of the Court of Session and the Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland. 10 An order under subsection (5)— a may make different provision for different purposes; b may make consequential, transitory, transitional or saving provision. Duty to fill vacancies 86 1 The Lord Chancellor must make a recommendation to fill any vacancy in the office of puisne judge of the High Court or in an office listed in Part 1 of Schedule 14. 1A The Lord Chancellor must, as soon as is reasonably practicable after being informed by the Lord Chief Justice that a selection under this Chapter for a recommendation for an appointment to an office listed in Table 2 of Part 1 of that Schedule has been accepted unconditionally or subject to conditions that have since been met, make a recommendation of the selected person for an appointment to that office. 1B The Lord Chancellor must, as soon as is reasonably practicable after being informed by the Senior President of Tribunals that a selection under this Chapter for a recommendation for an appointment to an office listed in Table 3 of Part 1 of that Schedule has been accepted unconditionally or subject to conditions that have since been met, make a recommendation of the selected person for an appointment to that office. 2 The Lord Chancellor must make an appointment to fill any vacancy in an office listed in Table 1 of Part 2 or 3 of that Schedule. 2A The Lord Chief Justice must make an appointment to fill any vacancy in an office listed in Table 2 of Part 2 of that Schedule. 2B The Senior President of Tribunals must make an appointment to fill any vacancy in an office listed in Table 2 of Part 3 of that Schedule. 3 Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to a vacancy while the Lord Chief Justice agrees that it may remain unfilled. 4 Subsections (2A) and (2B) do not apply to a vacancy while the Lord Chancellor agrees that it may remain unfilled. Request for selection 87 1 The Lord Chancellor may request the Commission to select a person for a recommendation or appointment to which this section applies. 1A The Lord Chancellor may request the Commission to select a person for membership of a pool for requests under section 9(1) of the Senior Courts Act 1981, and a person may become a member of such a pool only by selection on a request under this subsection. 2 Before making a request the Lord Chancellor must consult the Lord Chief Justice. 3 A request may relate to more than one recommendation or appointment. 4 Section 88 applies where the Lord Chancellor makes a request under this section. 5 That section is subject to section 95 (withdrawal and modification of requests). Selection process 88 1 On receiving a request the Commission must— a determine the selection process to be applied, b apply the selection process, and c make a selection accordingly. 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 One person only may be selected for each recommendation , appointment or pool membership to which a request relates. 5 Subsection (4) applies to selection under this section and to selection under regulations under section 94C . Report 89 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Lord Chancellor's options 90 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Exercise of powers to reject or require reconsideration 91 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Selection following rejection or requirement to reconsider 92 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reconsideration of decision not to select 93 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Power to require persons to be identified for future requests 94 1 If the Lord Chancellor gives the Commission notice of a request which the Lord Chancellor expects to make under section 87, the Commission must seek to identify persons it considers would be suitable for selection on the request. 2 The Lord Chancellor may, by regulations made with the agreement of the Lord Chief Justice, make provision about how the Commission is to comply with a duty imposed on it by subsection (1). 3 The regulations may in particular— a make provision as to things that are, or as to things that are not, to be done— i in complying with such a duty, or ii in determining how to comply with such a duty; b provide for the making of reports. 4 Regulations under this section— a may make different provision for different purposes; b may make consequential, supplementary, transitory, transitional or saving provision. Appointments not subject to section 85: courts 94A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Appointments not subject to section 85: High Court deputy judge 94AA 1 Where this section applies to an appointment, section 85 does not apply. 2 This section applies to the appointment of a person as a deputy judge of the High Court if it appears to the Lord Chief Justice, after consulting the Lord Chancellor, that— a there is an urgent need to take steps in order to facilitate the disposal of particular business in the High Court or Crown Court or any other court or tribunal to which a deputy judge of the High Court may be deployed , b it is expedient as a temporary measure to make the appointment in order to facilitate the disposal of the business, and c there are no other reasonable steps that it is practicable to take within the time available in order to facilitate the disposal of the business. 3 An appointment to which this section applies is to be made— a so as not to extend beyond the day on which the particular business concerned is concluded, or b so as not to extend beyond the later of— i the day on which the business is concluded, or ii the day expected when the appointment is made to be the day on which the business is concluded. Appointments not subject to section 85: tribunals 94B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Supplementary provisions about selection Selection process 94C 1 The Lord Chancellor must by regulations made with the agreement of the Lord Chief Justice— a make further provision about the process to be applied in a case where the Commission receives a request under section 87; b make further provision about— i membership of selection panels appointed under section 70, 75B or 79, and ii the process that is to be applied in a case where a selection panel is required to be appointed under section 70, 75B or 79; c secure, subject to section 95 and any provision within subsection (2)(d) that is included in the regulations, that in every case referred to paragraph (a) or (b)(ii) there will come a point in the process when a selection has to be accepted, either unconditionally or subject only to matters such as the selected person's willingness and availability, by or on behalf of the appropriate authority. 2 The regulations may in particular— a provide for process additional to the selection process applied under section 70(2), 75B(2), 79(2) or 88(1), including post-acceptance process; b make provision as to things that are, or as to things that are not, to be done— i as part of the selection process applied under section 70(2), 75B(2), 79(2) or 88(1), or ii in determining what that process is to be; c provide for selection on a request under section 87 to be from among persons identified under section 94 in response to advance notice of the request; d provide for section 88(1)(c) not to apply where, or to the extent that, the Commission decides that the selection process applied under section 88(1) has not identified candidates of sufficient merit for it to comply with section 88(1)(c); e give functions to the Lord Chancellor, including— i power to require a selection panel to reconsider a selection under section 70(2), 75B(2) or 79(2) or any subsequent selection, ii power to reject a selection under section 70(2) or any subsequent selection, iii power to reject a selection under section 75B(2) or 79(2) or any subsequent selection, iv power to reject, or require the reconsideration of, initial or subsequent selections made on a request under section 87, and v power to require the reconsideration of a decision mentioned in paragraph (d); f give functions to the Lord Chief Justice in connection with selection for an office listed in Table 2 of Part 1 or 2 of Schedule 14 or in connection with selection for membership of a pool for requests under section 9(1) of the Senior Courts Act 1981, including— i power to reject, or require the reconsideration of, initial or subsequent selections made on a request under section 87, and ii power to require the reconsideration of a decision mentioned in paragraph (d); g give functions to the Senior President of Tribunals in connection with selection for an office listed in Table 3 of Part 1, or Table 2 of Part 3, of Schedule 14, including— i power to reject, or require the reconsideration of, initial or subsequent selections made on a request under section 87, and ii power to require the reconsideration of a decision mentioned in paragraph (d); h make provision for or in connection with duties mentioned in section 51 of the Equality Act 2010 being duties of the Lord Chief Justice, or Senior President of Tribunals, in relation to an office within Table 2 or 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 14; i provide for particular action to be taken by the Commission or a selection panel after the panel has complied with section 70, 75B or 79; j provide for particular action to be taken by the Commission after a selection has been made on a request under section 87; k provide for the dissolution of a selection panel appointed under section 70, 75B or 79; l provide for section 16(2)(a) or (b) not to apply in relation to functions of the Lord Chief Justice— i as a member of such a panel (including functions of chairing such a panel), or ii in relation to the nomination or appointment of members of such a panel; m provide for a person to cease to be a member of such a panel where the person's membership of the panel ceases to contribute to meeting a requirement about the panel's members; n provide for a person to become a member of such a panel where another person ceases to be a member of the panel or where another person's membership of the panel ceases to contribute to meeting a requirement about the panel's members; o make provision for or in connection with assessments, whether pre-acceptance or post-acceptance, of the health of persons selected; p provide for the Lord Chief Justice to nominate a judicial office holder (as defined in section 109(4)) to exercise functions given to the Lord Chief Justice by the regulations (including functions, such as functions as a consultee, given otherwise than in reliance on paragraph (f)); q make provision prohibiting or restricting delegation by the Senior President of Tribunals of functions given to the Senior President of Tribunals by the regulations (including functions, such as functions as a consultee, given otherwise than in reliance on paragraph (g)); r make provision as to the meaning of “non-legally-qualified” and “judicial member” in sections 70, 75B and 79. 3 Regulations under this section— a may make different provision for different purposes; b may make transitory, transitional or saving provision. 4 In subsection (1)(c) “ the appropriate authority ” means— a the Lord Chancellor where the selection— i is on a request under section 69 or 78, ii relates to the office of Senior President of Tribunals or puisne judge of the High Court, or iii relates to an office listed in Table 1 of Part 1, 2 or 3 of Schedule 14; b the Lord Chief Justice where the selection relates to an office listed in Table 2 of Part 1 or 2 of that Schedule; c the Senior President of Tribunals where the selection relates to an office listed in Table 3 of Part 1, or Table 2 of Part 3, of that Schedule. 5 This section is subject to section 95. Withdrawal and modification of requests 95 1 This section applies to a request under section 69, 78 or 87 or paragraph 2(5) of Schedule 1 to the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 . 2 The Lord Chancellor may withdraw or modify a request only as follows— za the Lord Chancellor may withdraw or modify a request in consequence of a vacancy, or perceived need for an additional office-holder, having been filled or partly filled by change in the amount of time required to be devoted to the duties of office by an existing holder of the office concerned; a so far as a request relates to any recommendation or appointment to fill a vacancy, he may withdraw or modify it with the agreement of the Lord Chief Justice; b so far as a request relates to any recommendation or appointment otherwise than to fill a vacancy, he may withdraw or modify it after consulting the Lord Chief Justice; ba so far as a request relates to any pool membership, the Lord Chancellor may withdraw or modify it after consulting the Lord Chief Justice; c the Lord Chancellor may withdraw a request as respects all recommendations , appointments or pool memberships to which it relates if, after consulting the Lord Chief Justice, the Lord Chancellor considers the selection process determined by the Commission or selection panel is not satisfactory, or has not been applied satisfactorily. 3 If a request is withdrawn in part or modified, the Commission or selection panel may, if it thinks it appropriate because of the withdrawal or modification, change any selection already made pursuant to the request, except a selection already accepted unconditionally or subject only to matters such as the selected person's willingness and availability . 4 The Lord Chancellor may not withdraw a request under subsection (2)(c) if a selection made pursuant to the request— a has been accepted unconditionally or subject only to matters such as the selected person's willingness and availability, or b in exercise of power conferred by regulations under section 94C, has been rejected or required to be reconsidered. 5 Any withdrawal or modification of a request must be by notice in writing to the Commission. 6 The notice must state whether the withdrawal or modification is under subsection (2)(a), (b) or (c). 7 In the case of a withdrawal under subsection (2)(c), the notice must state why the Lord Chancellor considers the selection process determined by the Commission or selection panel is not satisfactory, or has not been applied satisfactorily. 8 If or to the extent that a request is withdrawn— a the preceding provisions of this Part cease to apply in relation to it, and b any selection made on it is to be disregarded. 9 Withdrawal of a request to any extent does not affect the power of the Lord Chancellor to make another request in the same or different terms. Effect of acceptance of selection 96 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Scotland and Northern Ireland 97 1 Subsections (2) and (3) apply to consultation that a person is required to undertake under any of these provisions— a section 87(2); b . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . c . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ca . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . d section 95(2)(b) or (c), e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 If the consultation appears to that person to relate to the appointment (or a recommendation for the appointment) of a person to exercise functions wholly or mainly in Scotland, any reference in the provision to the Lord Chief Justice is to be read as a reference to the Lord President of the Court of Session. 3 If the consultation appears to that person to relate to the appointment (or a recommendation for the appointment) of a person to exercise functions wholly or mainly in Northern Ireland, any reference in the provision to the Lord Chief Justice is to be read as a reference to the Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland. 4 Subsections (2) and (3) apply to the reference in section ... 95(2)(a) to the Lord Chancellor obtaining the concurrence of the Lord Chief Justice as they apply to a reference in a provision specified in subsection (1) to the Lord Chancellor consulting the Lord Chief Justice. 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Assistance in connection with other appointments Assistance in connection with other appointments 98 1 The Commission must provide any assistance requested by the Lord Chancellor under this section. 2 The Lord Chancellor may request assistance for the making by him or by another Minister of the Crown of an appointment or recommendation for appointment, other than one to which section 26 or a provision of this Part applies. 3 The Lord Chancellor may only request assistance under this section if it appears to him appropriate because of the Commission's other functions under this Part and the nature of the appointment concerned. 4 Without limiting the assistance that may be requested, it may include— a determining a selection process; b applying a selection process; c selecting a person; d selecting a short list; e advice on any of those matters. 5 Before making a request the Lord Chancellor must consult— a the Lord Chief Justice, and b the Commission. 6 In this section “ appointment ” includes the conferring of any public function. 7 In this Part references to selection under this Part include references to selection by the Commission pursuant to a request under this section (and references to a person selected under this Part are to be read accordingly). Complaints and references Complaints: interpretation 99 1 This section applies for the purposes of this Part. 2 A Commission complaint is a complaint by a qualifying complainant of maladministration by the Commission or a committee of the Commission. 3 A departmental complaint is a complaint by a qualifying complainant of maladministration by the Lord Chancellor or his department in connection with any of the following— a selection under this Part; b recommendation for or appointment to an office listed in Schedule 14. 3A An LCJ complaint is a complaint by a qualifying complainant of maladministration by the Lord Chief Justice or the Lord Chief Justice's nominee, or anyone acting on behalf of either of them, in connection with— a selection under this Part for an office listed in Table 2 of Part 1 or 2 of Schedule 14, b appointment to an office listed in Table 2 of Part 2 of that Schedule, or c selection under this Part for membership of a pool for requests under section 9(1) of the Senior Courts Act 1981, or of maladministration by the Lord Chief Justice or the Master of the Rolls or the Lord Chief Justice's nominee, or anyone acting on behalf of any of them, in connection with the making of requests under section 9(1) of that Act. 3B An SPT complaint is a complaint by a qualifying complainant of maladministration by the Senior President of Tribunals or a person to whom the Senior President has delegated functions, or anyone acting on behalf of either of them, in connection with— a selection under this Part for an office listed in Table 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 14 or in Table 2 of Part 3 of that Schedule, or b appointment to an office listed in Table 2 of Part 3 of that Schedule. 4 A qualifying complainant is a complainant who claims to have been adversely affected, as an applicant for selection or as a person selected under this Part, by the maladministration complained of. Complaints to the Commission or the Lord Chancellor 100 1 The Commission must make arrangements for investigating any Commission complaint made to it. 2 The Lord Chancellor must make arrangements for investigating any departmental complaint made to him. 2A The Lord Chief Justice must make arrangements for investigating any LCJ complaint made to the Lord Chief Justice. 2B The Senior President of Tribunals must make arrangements for investigating any SPT complaint made to the Senior President of Tribunals. 3 Arrangements under this section need not apply to a complaint made more than 28 days after the matter complained of. Complaints to the Ombudsman 101 1 Subsections (2) and (3) apply to a complaint which the complainant— a has made to the Commission , the Lord Chancellor, the Lord Chief Justice or the Senior President of Tribunals in accordance with arrangements under section 100, and b makes to the Ombudsman not more than 28 days after being notified of the decision of the Commission, the Lord Chancellor, the Lord Chief Justice or the Senior President of Tribunals on the complaint. 2 If the Ombudsman considers that investigation of the complaint is not necessary, he must inform the complainant. 3 Otherwise he must investigate the complaint. 4 The Ombudsman may investigate a complaint which the complainant— a has made to the Commission , the Lord Chancellor, the Lord Chief Justice or the Senior President of Tribunals in accordance with arrangements under section 100, and b makes to the Ombudsman at any time. 5 The Ombudsman may investigate a transferred complaint made to him, and no such complaint may be made under the Judicial Appointments Order after the commencement of this section. 6 The Judicial Appointments Order is the Judicial Appointments Order in Council 2001, which sets out the functions of Her Majesty's Commissioners for Judicial Appointments. 7 A transferred complaint is a complaint that lay to those Commissioners (whether or not it was made to them) in respect of the application of appointment procedures before the commencement of this section, but not a complaint that those Commissioners had declined to investigate or on which they had concluded their investigation. 8 Any complaint to the Ombudsman under this section must be in a form approved by him. Report and recommendations 102 1 The Ombudsman must prepare a report on any complaint he has investigated under section 101. 2 The report must state— a what findings the Ombudsman has made; b whether he considers the complaint should be upheld in whole or part; c if he does, what if any action he recommends should be taken by the Commission , the Lord Chancellor, the Lord Chief Justice or the Senior President of Tribunals as a result of the complaint. 3 The recommendations that may be made under subsection (2)(c) include recommendations for the payment of compensation. 4 Such a recommendation must relate to loss which appears to the Ombudsman to have been suffered by the complainant as a result of maladministration and not as a result of any failure to be appointed to an office , or selected for membership of a pool, to which the complaint related. Report procedure 103 1 This section applies to a report under section 102. 2 The Ombudsman must submit a draft of the report to the Lord Chancellor and to— a the Commission if the complaint was a Commission complaint; b the Lord Chief Justice if the complaint was an LCJ complaint; c the Senior President of Tribunals if the complaint was an SPT complaint. 3 In finalising the report the Ombudsman— a must have regard to any proposal by the Lord Chancellor the Commission, the Lord Chief Justice or the Senior President of Tribunals for changes in the draft report; b must include in the report a statement of any such proposal not given effect to. 4 The report must be signed by the Ombudsman. 5 If the complaint was a Commission complaint the Ombudsman must send the report in duplicate to the Lord Chancellor and the Commission. 5A If the complaint was an LCJ complaint the Ombudsman must send the report in duplicate to the Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chief Justice. 5B If the complaint was an SPT complaint the Ombudsman must send the report in duplicate to the Lord Chancellor and the Senior President of Tribunals. 6 Otherwise the Ombudsman must send the report to the Lord Chancellor. 7 The Ombudsman must send a copy of the report to the complainant, but that copy must not include information— a which relates to an identified or identifiable individual other than the complainant, and b whose disclosure by the Ombudsman to the complainant would (apart from this subsection) be contrary to section 139. References by the Lord Chancellor 104 1 If the Lord Chancellor , the Lord Chief Justice or the Senior President of Tribunals refers to the Ombudsman any matter relating to the procedures of the Commission or a committee of the Commission, the Ombudsman must investigate it. 2 The matter may relate to such procedures generally or in a particular case. 3 The Ombudsman must report to the Lord Chancellor , the Lord Chief Justice and the Senior President of Tribunals on any investigation under this section. 4 The report must state— a what findings the Ombudsman has made; b what if any action he recommends should be taken by any person in relation to the matter. 5 The report must be signed by the Ombudsman. Information 105 The Commission , the Lord Chief Justice, the Senior President of Tribunals and the Lord Chancellor must provide the Ombudsman with such information as he may reasonably require relating to the subject matter of any investigation by him under section 101 or 104. Miscellaneous Consultation on appointment of lay justices 106 In section 10 of the Courts Act 2003 (c. 39) (appointment of lay justices etc. ) after subsection (2) insert— 2A The Lord Chancellor must ensure that arrangements for the exercise, so far as affecting any local justice area, of functions under subsections (1) and (2) include arrangements for consulting persons appearing to him to have special knowledge of matters relevant to the exercise of those functions in relation to that area. Disclosure of information to the Commission 107 1 Information which is held by or on behalf of a permitted person (whether obtained before or after this section comes into force) may be disclosed to the Commission or a committee of the Commission for the purposes of selection under this Part. 2 A disclosure under this section is not to be taken to breach any restriction on the disclosure of information (however imposed). 3 But nothing in this section authorises the making of a disclosure— a which contravenes the data protection legislation , or b which is prohibited by any of Parts 1 to 7 or Chapter 1 of Part 9 of the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 . 4 This section does not affect a power to disclose which exists apart from this section. 5 The following are permitted persons— a a chief officer of police of a police force in England and Wales; b the chief constable of the Police Service of Scotland; c the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland; d the Director General of the National Criminal Intelligence Service; e the Director General of the National Crime Squad; f the Commissioners of Inland Revenue; g the Commissioners of Customs and Excise. 6 The Lord Chancellor may by order designate as permitted persons other persons who exercise functions which he considers are of a public nature (including a body or person discharging regulatory functions in relation to any description of activities). 7 Information must not be disclosed under this section on behalf of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue or on behalf of the Commissioners of Customs and Excise unless the Commissioners concerned authorise the disclosure. 8 The power to authorise a disclosure under subsection (7) may be delegated (either generally or for a specific purpose)— a in the case of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue, to an officer of the Board of Inland Revenue, b in the case of the Commissioners of Customs and Excise, to a customs officer. 9 For the purposes of this section a customs officer is a person commissioned by the Commissioners of Customs and Excise under section 6(3) of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 (c. 2). 10 In this section, “ the data protection legislation ” has the same meaning as in the Data Protection Act 2018 (see section 3 of that Act). Chapter 3 Discipline Disciplinary powers Disciplinary powers 108 1 Any power of the Lord Chancellor to remove a person from an office listed in Schedule 14 is exercisable only after the Lord Chancellor has complied with prescribed procedures (as well as any other requirements to which the power is subject). 2 The Lord Chief Justice may exercise any of the following powers but only with the agreement of the Lord Chancellor and only after complying with prescribed procedures. 3 The Lord Chief Justice may give a judicial office holder formal advice, or a formal warning or reprimand, for disciplinary purposes (but this section does not restrict what he may do informally or for other purposes or where any advice or warning is not addressed to a particular office holder). 4 He may suspend a person from a judicial office for any period during which any of the following applies— a the person is subject to criminal proceedings; b the person is serving a sentence imposed in criminal proceedings; c the person has been convicted of an offence and is subject to prescribed procedures in relation to the conduct constituting the offence. 5 He may suspend a person from a judicial office for any period if— a the person has been convicted of a criminal offence, b it has been determined under prescribed procedures that the person should not be removed from office, and c it appears to the Lord Chief Justice with the agreement of the Lord Chancellor that the suspension is necessary for maintaining confidence in the judiciary. 6 He may suspend a person from office as a senior judge for any period during which the person is subject to proceedings for an Address. 7 He may suspend the holder of an office listed in Schedule 14 for any period during which the person— a is under investigation for an offence, or b is subject to prescribed procedures. 8 While a person is suspended under this section from any office he may not perform any of the functions of the office (but his other rights as holder of the office are not affected). Disciplinary powers: interpretation 109 1 This section has effect for the purposes of section 108. 2 A person is subject to criminal proceedings if in any part of the United Kingdom proceedings against him for an offence have been begun and have not come to an end, and the times when proceedings are begun and come to an end for the purposes of this subsection are such as may be prescribed. 3 A person is subject to proceedings for an Address from the time when notice of a motion is given in each House of Parliament for an Address for the removal of the person from office, until the earliest of the following events— a either notice is withdrawn; b either motion is amended so that it is no longer a motion for an address for removal of the person from office; c either motion is withdrawn, lapses or is disagreed to; d where an Address is presented by each House, a message is brought to each House from Her Majesty in answer to the Address. 4 “ Judicial office ” means— a office as a senior judge, or b an office listed in Schedule 14; and “ judicial office holder ” means the holder of a judicial office. 5 “ Senior judge ” means any of these— a Master of the Rolls; b President of the Queen's Bench Division; c President of the Family Division; d Chancellor of the High Court; da Senior President of Tribunals; db President of Welsh Tribunals; e Lord Justice of Appeal; f puisne judge of the High Court. 6 “ Sentence ” includes any sentence other than a fine (and “serving” is to be read accordingly). 7 The times when a person becomes and ceases to be subject to prescribed procedures for the purposes of section 108(4) or (7) are such as may be prescribed. 8 “ Under investigation for an offence ” has such meaning as may be prescribed. Applications for review and references Applications to the Ombudsman 110 1 This section applies if an interested party makes an application to the Ombudsman for the review of the exercise by any person of a regulated disciplinary function, on the grounds that there has been— a a failure to comply with prescribed procedures, or b some other maladministration. 2 The Ombudsman must carry out a review if the following three conditions are met. 3 The first condition is that the Ombudsman considers that a review is necessary. 4 The second condition is that— a the application is made within the permitted period, b the application is made within such longer period as the Ombudsman considers appropriate in the circumstances, or c the application is made on grounds alleging undue delay and the Ombudsman considers that the application has been made within a reasonable time. 5 The third condition is that the application is made in a form approved by the Ombudsman. 6 But the Ombudsman may not review the merits of a decision made by any person. 7 If any of the conditions in subsections (3) to (5) is not met, or if the grounds of the application relate only to the merits of a decision, the Ombudsman— a may not carry out a review, and b must inform the applicant accordingly. 8 In this section and sections 111 to 113, “ regulated disciplinary function ” means any of the following— a any function of the Lord Chancellor that falls within section 108(1); b any function conferred on the Lord Chief Justice by section 108(3) to (7); c any function exercised under prescribed procedures in connection with a function falling within paragraph (a) or (b). 9 In this section, in relation to an application under this section for a review of the exercise of a regulated disciplinary function— “ interested party ” means— the judicial office holder in relation to whose conduct the function is exercised, or any person who has made a complaint about that conduct in accordance with prescribed procedures; “ permitted period ” means the period of 28 days beginning with the latest of— the failure or other maladministration alleged by the applicant; where that failure or maladministration occurred in the course of an investigation, the applicant being notified of the conclusion or other termination of that investigation; where that failure or maladministration occurred in the course of making a determination, the applicant being notified of that determination. 10 References in this section and section 111 to the exercise of a function include references to a decision whether or not to exercise the function. Review by the Ombudsman 111 1 Where the Ombudsman is under a duty to carry out a review on an application under section 110, he must— a on the basis of any findings he makes about the grounds for the application, decide to what extent the grounds are established; b decide what if any action to take under subsections (2) to (7). 2 If he decides that the grounds are established to any extent, he may make recommendations to the Lord Chancellor and Lord Chief Justice. 3 A recommendation under subsection (2) may be for the payment of compensation. 4 Such a recommendation must relate to loss which appears to the Ombudsman to have been suffered by the applicant as a result of any failure or maladministration to which the application relates. 5 If the Ombudsman decides that a determination made in the exercise of a function under review is unreliable because of any failure or maladministration to which the application relates, he may set aside the determination. 6 If a determination is set aside under subsection (5)— a the prescribed procedures apply, subject to any prescribed modifications, as if the determination had not been made, and b for the purposes of those procedures, any investigation or review leading to the determination is to be disregarded. 7 Subsection (6) is subject to any direction given by the Ombudsman under this subsection— a for a previous investigation or review to be taken into account to any extent, or b for any investigation or review which may form part of the prescribed procedures to be undertaken, or undertaken again. 8 This section is subject to section 112. Reports on reviews 112 1 In this section references to the Ombudsman's response to an application are references to the findings and decisions referred to in section 111(1). 2 Before determining his response to an application the Ombudsman must prepare a draft of a report of the review carried out on the application. 3 The draft report must state the Ombudsman's proposed response. 4 The Ombudsman must submit the draft report to the Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chief Justice. 5 If the Lord Chancellor or the Lord Chief Justice makes a proposal that the Ombudsman's response to the application should be changed, the Ombudsman must consider whether or not to change it to give effect to that proposal. 6 The Ombudsman must produce a final report that sets out— a the Ombudsman's response to the application, including any changes made to it to give effect to a proposal under subsection (5); b a statement of any proposal under subsection (5) that is not given effect to. 7 The Ombudsman must send a copy of the final report to each of the Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chief Justice. 8 The Ombudsman must also send a copy of the final report to the applicant, but that copy must not include information— a which relates to an identified or identifiable individual other than the applicant, and b whose disclosure by the Ombudsman to the applicant would (apart from this subsection) be contrary to section 139. 9 Each copy must be signed by the Ombudsman. 10 No part of the Ombudsman's response to an application has effect until he has complied with subsections (2) to (9). References to the Ombudsman relating to conduct 113 1 The Ombudsman must investigate any matter referred to him by the Lord Chancellor or the Lord Chief Justice that relates to the exercise of one or more regulated disciplinary functions. 2 A matter referred to the Ombudsman under subsection (1) may relate to the particular exercise of a regulated disciplinary function or to specified descriptions of the exercise of such functions. Reports on references 114 1 Where the Ombudsman carries out an investigation under section 113 he must prepare a draft of a report of the investigation. 2 If the investigation relates to a matter which is the subject of a review on an application under section 110, subsection (1) applies only when the Ombudsman has sent a copy of the final report on that review to the Lord Chancellor, the Lord Chief Justice and the applicant. 3 The draft report must state the Ombudsman's proposals as to— a the findings he will make; b any recommendations he will make for action to be taken by any person in relation to the matter subject to investigation. 4 Those findings and recommendations are referred to in this section as the Ombudsman's response on the investigation. 5 The Ombudsman must submit the draft report to the Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chief Justice. 6 If the Lord Chancellor or the Lord Chief Justice makes a proposal that the Ombudsman's response on the investigation should be changed, the Ombudsman must consider whether or not to change it to give effect to that proposal. 7 The Ombudsman must produce a final report that sets out— a the Ombudsman's response on the investigation, including any changes made to it to give effect to a proposal under subsection (6); b a statement of any proposal under subsection (6) that is not given effect to. 8 The Ombudsman must send a copy of the final report to each of the Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chief Justice. 9 Each copy must be signed by the Ombudsman. General Regulations about procedures 115 The Lord Chief Justice may, with the agreement of the Lord Chancellor, make regulations providing for the procedures that are to be followed in— a the investigation and determination of allegations by any person of misconduct by judicial office holders; b reviews and investigations (including the making of applications or references) under sections 110 to 112. Contents of regulations 116 1 Regulations under section 115(a) may include provision as to any of the following— a circumstances in which an investigation must or may be undertaken (on the making of a complaint or otherwise); b steps to be taken by a complainant before a complaint is to be investigated; c the conduct of an investigation, including steps to be taken by the office holder under investigation or by a complainant or other person; d time limits for taking any step and procedures for extending time limits; e persons by whom an investigation or part of an investigation is to be conducted; f matters to be determined by the Lord Chief Justice, the Lord Chancellor, the office holder under investigation or any other person; g requirements as to records of investigations; h requirements as to confidentiality of communications or proceedings; i requirements as to the publication of information or its provision to any person. 2 The regulations— a may require a decision as to the exercise of functions under section 108, or functions mentioned in subsection (1) of that section, to be taken in accordance with findings made pursuant to prescribed procedures; b may require that prescribed steps be taken by the Lord Chief Justice or the Lord Chancellor in exercising those functions or before exercising them. 3 Where regulations under section 115(a) impose any requirement on the office holder under investigation or on a complainant, a person contravening the requirement does not incur liability other than liability to such procedural penalty if any (which may include the suspension or dismissal of a complaint)— a as may be prescribed by the regulations, or b as may be determined by the Lord Chief Justice and the Lord Chancellor or either of them in accordance with provisions so prescribed. 4 Regulations under section 115 may— a provide for any prescribed requirement not to apply if the Lord Chief Justice and the Lord Chancellor so agree; b make different provision for different purposes. 5 Nothing in this section limits the generality of section 115. Procedural rules 117 1 Regulations under section 115 may provide for provision of a prescribed description that may be included in the regulations to be made instead by rules made by the Lord Chief Justice with the agreement of the Lord Chancellor. 2 But the provision that may be made by rules does not include— a provision within section 116(2); b provision made for the purposes of section 108(7) or (8) or 116(3). 3 The rules are to be published in such manner as the Lord Chief Justice may determine with the agreement of the Lord Chancellor. Extension of discipline provisions to other offices 118 1 This Chapter applies in relation to an office designated by the Lord Chancellor under this section as it would apply if the office were listed in Schedule 14. 2 The Lord Chancellor may by order designate any office, not listed in Schedule 14, the holder of which he has power to remove from office. 3 An order under this section may be made only with the agreement of the Lord Chief Justice. Delegation of functions 119 1 The Lord Chief Justice may nominate a judicial office holder (as defined in section 109(4)) to exercise any of his functions under the relevant sections. 2 The relevant sections are— a section 108(3) to (7); b section 111(2); c section 112; d section 116(3)(b). Scotland and Northern Ireland Scotland 120 1 In section 108, in relation to a judicial office holder who exercises functions wholly or mainly in Scotland, references to the Lord Chief Justice are to be read as references to the Lord President of the Court of Session. 2 Regulations under section 115 and rules under section 117 do not apply in relation to a judicial office holder who exercises functions wholly or mainly in Scotland unless they are made with the agreement of the Lord President of the Court of Session. 3 In section 116(1)(f), (3)(b) and (4)(a) the references to the Lord Chief Justice include references to the Lord President of the Court of Session. 4 In section 118(3), where the description of offices designated by the order is limited to (or includes) offices in which the holder exercises functions wholly or mainly in Scotland, the reference to the Lord Chief Justice is to be read as (or as including) a reference to the Lord President of the Court of Session. 5 The Lord Chief Justice may by regulations provide for sections 110 to 113 to apply in relation to judicial office holders who exercise functions wholly or mainly in Scotland— a as if in section 110(8)(b) the reference to the Lord Chief Justice were a reference to the Lord President of the Court of Session, and b with any other modifications specified in the regulations. 6 Regulations under subsection (5) may be made only with the agreement of the Lord Chancellor and the Lord President of the Court of Session. 7 The Lord President of the Court of Session may nominate a judge of the Court of Session who is a member of the First or Second Division of the Inner House of that Court to exercise any of his functions under the relevant sections. 8 The relevant sections are— a section 108(3) to (7); b section 111(2); c section 112; d section 116(3)(b). Northern Ireland 121 1 In section 108, in relation to a judicial office holder who exercises functions wholly or mainly in Northern Ireland, references to the Lord Chief Justice are to be read as references to the Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland. 2 Regulations under section 115 and rules under section 117 do not apply in relation to a judicial office holder who exercises functions wholly or mainly in Northern Ireland, unless they are made with the agreement of the Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland. 3 In section 116(1)(f), (3)(b) and (4)(a) the references to the Lord Chief Justice include references to the Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland. 4 In section 118(3), where the description of offices designated by the order is limited to (or includes) offices in which the holder exercises functions wholly or mainly in Northern Ireland, the reference to the Lord Chief Justice is to be read as (or as including) a reference to the Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland. 5 The Lord Chief Justice may by regulations provide for sections 110 to 113 to apply in relation to judicial office holders who exercise functions wholly or mainly in Northern Ireland— a as if in section 110(8)(b) the reference to the Lord Chief Justice were a reference to the Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland, and b with any other modifications specified in the regulations. 6 Regulations under subsection (5) may be made only with the agreement of the Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland. 7 The Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland may nominate any of the following to exercise any of his functions under the relevant sections— a the holder of one of the offices listed in Schedule 1 to the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 (c. 26); b a Lord Justice of Appeal (as defined in section 88 of that Act). 8 The relevant sections are— a section 108(3) to (7); b section 111(2); c section 112; d section 116(3)(b). Chapter 4 Interpretation of Part 4 Interpretation of Part 4 122 In this Part— “ appoint ” includes nominate or designate (and “appointment” is to be read accordingly); the “ Commission ” means the Judicial Appointments Commission; “ Head of Division ” means any of these— the Master of the Rolls; the President of the Queen's Bench Division; the President of the Family Division; the Chancellor of the High Court; “ High Court ” means the High Court in England and Wales; “ high judicial office ” has the meaning given by section 60; “ lay member ”, in relation to the Commission, has such meaning as may be given by regulations under paragraph 3C(a) of Schedule 12; “ Lord Chief Justice ”, unless otherwise stated, means the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales; “ Lord Justice of Appeal ” means a Lord Justice of Appeal in England and Wales; “ office ” includes a position of any description; the “ Ombudsman ” means the Judicial Appointments and Conduct Ombudsman; “ prescribed ” means prescribed by regulations under section 115 or, subject to section 117(2), by rules under section 117; “ vacancy ” in relation to an office to which one of sections 68, 77 and 86 applies, means a vacancy arising on a holder of the office vacating it at any time after the commencement of that section. Part 5 Judicial Appointments and Removals: Northern Ireland Chapter 1 Appointments Disclosure of information to Commission Disclosure of information to the Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission 123 1 The Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 (c. 26) (“ the 2002 Act ”) is amended as follows. 2 After section 5 of the 2002 Act insert— Disclosure of information to the Commission 5A 1 Information which is held by or on behalf of a permitted person (whether obtained before or after this section comes into force) may be disclosed to the Commission or a committee of the Commission for the purposes of selection under section 5. 2 A disclosure under this section is not to be taken to breach any restriction on the disclosure of information (however imposed). 3 But nothing in this section authorises the making of a disclosure— a which contravenes the Data Protection Act 1998, or b which is prohibited by Part 1 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000. 4 This section does not affect a power to disclose which exists apart from this section. 5 The following are permitted persons— a a chief officer of police of a police force in England and Wales; b a chief constable of a police force in Scotland; c the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland; d the Director General of the National Criminal Intelligence Service; e the Director General of the National Crime Squad; f the Commissioners of Inland Revenue; g the Commissioners of Customs and Excise. 6 The Lord Chancellor may by order designate as permitted persons other persons who exercise functions which he considers are of a public nature (including a body or person discharging regulatory functions in relation to any description of activities). 7 Information must not be disclosed under this section on behalf of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue or on behalf of the Commissioners of Customs and Excise unless the Commissioners concerned authorise the disclosure. 8 The power to authorise a disclosure under subsection (7) may be delegated (either generally or for a specific purpose)— a in the case of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue, to an officer of the Board of Inland Revenue, b in the case of the Commissioners of Customs and Excise, to a customs officer. 9 For the purposes of this section a customs officer is a person commissioned by the Commissioners of Customs and Excise under section 6(3) of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979. Ombudsman Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Ombudsman 124 1 The italic cross-heading before section 9 of the 2002 Act is omitted. 2 After that section insert— The Ombudsman Judicial Appointments Ombudsman 9A 1 There is to be a Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Ombudsman. 2 The Ombudsman is appointed by Her Majesty on the recommendation of the Lord Chancellor. 3 Schedule 3A makes further provision about the Ombudsman. 3 Schedule 15 inserts Schedule 3A to the 2002 Act. Complaints and references Complaints: interpretation 125 After section 9A of the 2002 Act insert— Complaints: interpretation 9B 1 This section applies for the purposes of this Part. 2 A Commission complaint is a complaint by a qualifying complainant of maladministration by the Commission or a committee of the Commission. 3 A departmental complaint is a complaint by a qualifying complainant of maladministration by the Lord Chancellor or the Northern Ireland Court Service in connection with any of the following— a recommendation for or appointment to a listed judicial office; b appointment under section 2 of the Taxes Management Act 1970 as a Commissioner for the general purposes of the income tax for Northern Ireland. 4 A qualifying complainant is a complainant who claims to have been adversely affected, as an applicant for selection or as a person selected under this Part, by the maladministration complained of. Complaints to the Commission or the Lord Chancellor 126 After section 9B of the 2002 Act insert— Complaints to the Commission or the Lord Chancellor 9C 1 The Commission must make arrangements for investigating any Commission complaint made to it. 2 The Lord Chancellor must make arrangements for investigating any departmental complaint made to him. 3 Arrangements under this section need not apply to a complaint made more than 28 days after the matter complained of. Complaints to the Ombudsman 127 After section 9C of the 2002 Act insert— Complaints to the Ombudsman 9D 1 Subsections (2) and (3) apply to a complaint which the complainant— a has made to the Commission or Lord Chancellor in accordance with arrangements under section 9C, and b makes to the Ombudsman not more than 28 days after being notified of the Commission's or Lord Chancellor's decision on the complaint. 2 If the Ombudsman considers that investigation of the complaint is not necessary, he must inform the complainant. 3 Otherwise he must investigate the complaint. 4 The Ombudsman may investigate a complaint which the complainant— a has made to the Commission or the Lord Chancellor in accordance with arrangements under section 9C, and b makes to the Ombudsman at any time. 5 The Ombudsman may investigate a transferred complaint made to him, and no such complaint may be made under the Judicial Appointments Order after the commencement of this section. 6 The Judicial Appointments Order is the Judicial Appointments Order in Council 2001, which sets out the functions of Her Majesty's Commissioners for Judicial Appointments. 7 A transferred complaint is a complaint that lay to those Commissioners (whether or not it was made to them) in respect of the application of procedures for appointment to listed judicial offices before the commencement of this section, but not a complaint that those Commissioners had declined to investigate or on which they had concluded their investigation. 8 Any complaint to the Ombudsman under this section must be in a form approved by him. Report and recommendations 128 After section 9D of the 2002 Act insert— Report and recommendations 9E 1 The Ombudsman must prepare a report on any complaint he has investigated under section 9D. 2 The report must state— a what findings the Ombudsman has made; b whether he considers the complaint should be upheld in whole or part; c if he does, what if any action he recommends should be taken by the Commission or the Lord Chancellor as a result of the complaint. 3 The recommendations that may be made under subsection (2)(c) include recommendations for the payment of compensation. 4 Such a recommendation must relate to loss which appears to the Ombudsman to have been suffered by the complainant as a result of maladministration and not as a result of any failure to be appointed to an office to which the complaint related. Report procedure 129 After section 9E of the 2002 Act insert— Report procedure 9F 1 This section applies to a report under section 9E. 2 The Ombudsman must submit a draft of the report— a to the Lord Chancellor, and b if the complaint was a Commission complaint, to the Commission. 3 In finalising the report the Ombudsman— a must have regard to any proposal by the Lord Chancellor or the Commission for changes in the draft report; b must include in the report a statement of any such proposal not given effect to. 4 The report must be signed by the Ombudsman. 5 If the complaint was a Commission complaint the Ombudsman must send the report in duplicate to the Lord Chancellor and the Commission. 6 Otherwise the Ombudsman must send the report to the Lord Chancellor. 7 The Ombudsman must send a copy of the report to the complainant, but that copy must not include information— a which relates to an identified or identifiable individual other than the complainant, and b whose disclosure by the Ombudsman to the complainant would (apart from this subsection) be contrary to section 9I. References by the Lord Chancellor 130 After section 9F of the 2002 Act insert— References by the Lord Chancellor 9G 1 If the Lord Chancellor refers to the Ombudsman any matter relating to the procedures of the Commission or a committee of the Commission, the Ombudsman must investigate it. 2 The matter may relate to such procedures generally or in a particular case. 3 The Ombudsman must report to the Lord Chancellor on any investigation under this section. 4 The report must state— a what findings the Ombudsman has made; b what if any action he recommends should be taken by any person in relation to the matter. 5 The report must be signed by the Ombudsman. Information 131 After section 9G of the 2002 Act insert— Information 9H The Commission and the Lord Chancellor must provide the Ombudsman with such information as he may reasonably require relating to the subject matter of an investigation under section 9D or 9G. Confidentiality in relation to judicial appointments and discipline 132 After section 9H of the 2002 Act insert— Confidentiality in relation to judicial appointments and discipline 9I 1 A person who obtains confidential information, or to whom confidential information is provided, under or for the purposes of a relevant provision must not disclose it except with lawful authority. 2 These are the relevant provisions— a section 12, 12A and 12B of the Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978 (appointment and removal of Lord Chief Justice, Lords Justices of Appeal and judges of High Court); b sections 3, 5, 7 and 9 to 9H of this Act (appointment and removal of judicial officers, and appointment and removal of lay magistrates); c sections 134 and 135 of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (removal from judicial offices); d section 16 of this Act (complaints about judicial officers); 3 Information is confidential if it relates to an identified or identifiable individual (a “subject”). 4 Confidential information is disclosed with lawful authority only if and to the extent that any of the following applies— a the disclosure is with the consent of each person who is a subject of the information (but this is subject to subsection (5)); b the disclosure is for (and is necessary for) the exercise by any person of functions under a relevant provision or a decision whether to exercise them; c the disclosure is required, under rules of court or a court order, for the purposes of legal proceedings of any description. 5 An opinion or other information given by one identified or identifiable individual (A) about another (B)— a is information that relates to both; b must not be disclosed to B without A's consent. 6 This section does not prevent the disclosure with the agreement of the Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chief Justice of information as to disciplinary action taken in accordance with a relevant provision. 7 This section does not prevent the disclosure of information which is already, or has previously been, available to the public from other sources. 8 A contravention of this section in respect of any information is actionable, subject to the defences and other incidents applying to actions for breach of statutory duty. 9 But it is actionable only at the suit of a person who is a subject of the information. Transfer of functions of justices of the peace Chapter 2 Removals Removal from most senior judicial offices 133 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Removal from listed judicial offices 134 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tribunals for considering removal 135 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Interpretation of Part 5 136 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Part 6 Other provisions relating to the judiciary Parliamentary disqualification 137 1 In Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 (c. 24) (judicial offices disqualifying for membership) at the beginning insert— “Judge of the Supreme Court.” 2 In Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the Northern Ireland Assembly Disqualification Act 1975 (c. 25) (judicial offices disqualifying for membership) at the beginning insert— “Judge of the Supreme Court.” 3 A member of the House of Lords is, while he holds any disqualifying judicial office, disqualified for sitting or voting in— a the House of Lords, b a committee of that House, or c a joint committee of both Houses. 4 In subsection (3) “ disqualifying judicial office ” means any of the judicial offices specified in— a Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975, or b Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the Northern Ireland Assembly Disqualification Act 1975. 5 A member of the House of Lords who is disqualified under subsection (3) is not for that reason disqualified for receiving a writ of summons to attend that House, but any such writ is subject to that subsection. Encouragement of diversity 137A Each of the Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales must take such steps as that office-holder considers appropriate for the purpose of encouraging judicial diversity. Judicial Committee of the Privy Council 138 Schedule 16 contains amendments about the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. Part 7 General Confidentiality 139 1 A person who obtains confidential information, or to whom confidential information is provided, under or for the purposes of a relevant provision must not disclose it except with lawful authority. 2 These are the relevant provisions— a sections 26 and 27 and regulations under section 27A ; b Part 4; c regulations and rules under Part 4. 3 Information is confidential if it relates to an identified or identifiable individual (a “subject”). 4 Confidential information is disclosed with lawful authority only if and to the extent that any of the following applies— a the disclosure is with the consent of each person who is a subject of the information (but this is subject to subsection (5)); b the disclosure is for (and is necessary for) the exercise by any person of functions under a relevant provision; c the disclosure is for (and is necessary for) the exercise of functions under section 11(3A) of the Supreme Court Act 1981 (c. 54) or a decision whether to exercise them; d the disclosure is for (and is necessary for) the exercise of powers to which section 108 applies, or a decision whether to exercise them; e the disclosure is required, under rules of court or a court order, for the purposes of legal proceedings of any description. 5 An opinion or other information given by one identified or identifiable individual (A) about another (B)— a is information that relates to both; b must not be disclosed to B without A's consent. 6 This section does not prevent the disclosure with the agreement of the Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chief Justice of information as to disciplinary action taken in accordance with a relevant provision. 7 This section does not prevent the disclosure of information which is already, or has previously been, available to the public from other sources. 8 A contravention of this section in respect of any information is actionable, subject to the defences and other incidents applying to actions for breach of statutory duty. 9 But it is actionable only at the suit of a person who is a subject of the information. “Enactment” 140 1 In this Act “ enactment ” includes— a an enactment contained in this Act; b an enactment contained in a local, personal or private Act; c except in sections 19 and 143, an enactment contained in subordinate legislation; and any reference to an enactment includes a reference to an enactment whenever passed or made. 2 In section 22 “enactment” also includes an enactment contained in, or in an instrument made under, Northern Ireland legislation. 3 In Part 3 “enactment” also includes— a an enactment comprised in, or in an instrument made under, an Act of the Scottish Parliament; b an enactment contained in, or in an instrument made under, Northern Ireland legislation. 4 In sections 19, 21 and 143 and in paragraph 3 of Schedule 7 “enactment” also includes— a an enactment contained in Northern Ireland legislation; b an enactment contained in a Measure of the Church Assembly or of the General Synod of the Church of England. “Subordinate legislation” 141 1 In this Act “ subordinate legislation ” has the same meaning as in the Interpretation Act 1978 (c. 30). 2 In sections 19 and 143 “subordinate legislation” also includes an enactment contained in an instrument made under Northern Ireland legislation. General interpretation 142 In this Act— “ functions ” includes powers and duties; “ Minister of the Crown ” has the same meaning as in the Ministers of the Crown Act 1975 (c. 26). Supplementary provision etc 143 1 The Lord Chancellor may by order make— a any supplementary, incidental or consequential provision, and b any transitory, transitional or saving provision, which he considers necessary or expedient for the purposes of, in consequence of, or for giving full effect to, any provision of this Act. 2 An order under this section may in particular— a provide for any provision of this Act which comes into force before another such provision has come into force to have effect, until that other provision has come into force, with such modifications as are specified in the order; b amend or repeal any of the following— i an enactment other than one contained in an Act passed, or Northern Ireland legislation passed or made, after the Session in which this Act is passed; ii subordinate legislation other than subordinate legislation made under an Act passed, or Northern Ireland legislation passed or made, after the Session in which this Act is passed; iii any other instrument or document, including a prerogative instrument; c amend or repeal an enactment or subordinate legislation, whenever passed or made, in consequence of section 59. 3 The amendments that may be made by virtue of subsection (2)(b) are in addition to those made by or under any other provision of this Act. 4 In this section “ prerogative instrument ” means an Order in Council, warrant, charter or other instrument made under the prerogative. Orders and regulations 144 1 Any power of a Minister of the Crown to make an order or regulations under this Act is exercisable by statutory instrument, except where subsection (2) applies. 2 Any power of the Lord Chancellor to make an order under section 19(1) or 143 amending an enactment contained in, or in an instrument made under, Northern Ireland legislation is exercisable by statutory rule for the purposes of the Statutory Rules (Northern Ireland) Order 1979 ( S.I. 1979/1573 (N.I. 12)). 3 Regulations under section 115, 120(5) or 121(5) are to be made in the form of a statutory instrument to which the Statutory Instruments Act 1946 (c. 36) applies as if the regulations were made by a Minister of the Crown. 4 A statutory instrument to which this subsection applies may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament. 5 Subsection (4) applies to a statutory instrument which contains any of the following— za regulations under section 27A; a an order under section 85(3)(a) or (b) which amends Part 1 of Schedule 14; aa an order under section 85(5); ab regulations under section 94 or 94C; b an order under section 19(1) which amends a public general Act, except where the only such amendment is the inclusion in Schedule 7 of a function of the Lord Chancellor; c an order under section 19(1) which amends subordinate legislation of which a draft was required to be laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament, except where the only such amendment consists of provision that falls within subsection (2)(b) of section 19; d an order under section 143 which amends a public general Act; e regulations under Part 1 of Schedule 12. 6 In any other case a statutory instrument containing an order or regulations under this Act, unless it contains only an order under section 27B(5), 66(5) or 148, is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament. 7 A statutory rule made under a power to which subsection (2) applies is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament. Minor and consequential amendments 145 Schedule 17 (minor and consequential amendments) has effect. Repeals and revocations 146 The provisions listed in Schedule 18 are repealed or revoked to the extent specified. Extent 147 1 Sections 7, 8 and 9 extend to England and Wales only. 2 Section 6 and Part 5 extend to Northern Ireland only. 3 Any amendment, repeal or revocation made by this Act has the same extent as the provision to which it relates. 4 Subject to subsections (1) to (3), this Act extends to Northern Ireland. Commencement 148 1 This Act, except the following provisions, comes into force in accordance with provision to be made by the Lord Chancellor by order. 2 The provisions excepted from subsection (1) are— a section 4; b sections 18 to 22; c sections 140 to 144; d section 147; e this section; f section 149; g Schedules 6 and 7. 3 Section 4 comes into force in accordance with provision to be made by the Secretary of State by order. 4 An order by which section 23(1) comes into force at any time may not be made unless the Lord Chancellor is satisfied that the Supreme Court will at that time be provided with accommodation in accordance with written plans that he has approved. 5 The Lord Chancellor may approve plans only if, having consulted the Lords of Appeal in Ordinary holding office at the time of the approval, he is satisfied that accommodation in accordance with the plans will be appropriate for the purposes of the Court. 6 An order under this section may make different provision for different purposes. Short title 149 This Act may be cited as the Constitutional Reform Act 2005.