the judiciary

• What are the two main types of courts in the court hierarchy?

  First Instance and Appellate Courts
• What are the sentencing options for the Magistrates and Crown Court?

  Magistrates decide verdict and sentence
• What is the role of judges from the King’s Bench Division?

  They also sit in the Crown Court
• Who is the head of the judiciary?

  • Lady Chief Justice
• What is the minimum experience required for a High Court Judge?

  7 years as a barrister or solicitor
• What is the main function of a High Court Judge?

  To deal with cases at first instance
• What is the role of Circuit Judges?

  They hear over 600 civil and criminal cases
• What is the role of Recorders?

  Part-time judges with 7+ years experience
• What is the experience requirement for a District Judge?

  5 years as a barrister or solicitor
• What was the role of the Lord Chancellor in judge selection before 2005?

  Selected judges based on existing judges' opinions
• What changed in judge selection after the Constitutional Reform Act 2005?

  Judicial Appointments Commission now manages recruitment
• What are the five core qualities the JAC looks for in candidates?

  Intellectual capacity, personal qualities, fairness, authority, efficiency
• What does the Crime and Courts Act 2013 state about inferior judges' appointments?

  Lord Chancellor cannot prevent their appointment
• What is the retirement age for judges according to the Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Act 2022?

  75 years old
• What is the significance of judicial independence?

  Judges are free from political influence
• How does the role of a judge in the Magistrates’ Court differ from that in the Crown Court?

  Magistrates decide verdict and sentence; Crown Court sums up for jury
• What are the training requirements for inferior judges?

  • Compulsory training for newly appointed assistant Recorders
  • One week course on sentencing and court running
  • Shadowing an experienced judge
• What does the s3 Constitutional Reform Act 2005 guarantee?

  Judicial independence must be upheld
• What is a declaration of incompatibility?

  Issued by judges under s4 Human Rights Act 1998
• What is the significance of the case Pinochet [1998]?

  No person should judge a case with interest
• What is the role of the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office?

  Handles dismissals of judges for misbehavior
• What is the main difference in security of tenure between superior and inferior judges?

  Inferior judges can be dismissed by higher authorities
• What are the similarities and differences between Magistrates and Judges?

  Similarities:

  • Both require legal qualifications
  • Both preside over court cases

  
  

  Differences:

  • Judges have more experience
  • Judges handle more serious cases
  • Different training requirements
• What is the role of judges in civil courts?

  Decide appropriate track and manage cases
• How does the training for superior judges differ from that for inferior judges?

  Training for superior judges is voluntary
• What is the purpose of the Judicial Appointments Commission?

  To ensure independent recruitment of judges
• What is the maximum number of judges in a panel for Lord Justices of Appeal?

  Up to 5 judges
• What is the significance of the Supreme Court ruling against the Government in 2019?

  Judicial independence upheld against government influence
• How does the role of judges ensure human rights are upheld in court?

  Judges ensure fair hearings and legal compliance
• What is the role of judges in ensuring fair hearings in criminal courts?

  Preside over court and decide questions of law
• What is the role of judges in small claims cases?

  Help parties put their case forward
• What is the purpose of the one-day courses for judges?

  To update judges on major legal changes
• How does the selection process for judges promote diversity?

  By assessing candidates' attitudes and backgrounds
• What is the significance of the Judicial College in judge training?

  Provides training on major legal changes
• What is the role of judges in managing court cases?

  Organize and keep parties to strict time limits
• What does the term 'security of tenure' refer to for judges?

  Judges cannot be removed for disagreeing with government
• How does the role of judges in civil courts differ from that in criminal courts?

  Civil judges manage cases; criminal judges decide verdicts
• What is the role of judges in ensuring the rule of law?

  They uphold legal standards and fairness
• What is the main function of the Crown Court?

  To sum up for jury and sentence if guilty
• What is the significance of the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office?

  It investigates judges' conduct and behavior