The Judiciary

• Supreme Court judges

  Judges of the supreme court, 100 appeals per year, appellate jurisdiction, panel of 3 high-profile judges
• Appeals court judges

  Hear 7,000+ appeals on sentences, panel of 3 high-profile judges
• Circuit judges


  Judges at the county court level, decide sentences
• Types of judges

  • Supreme Court judges
  • Appeals court judges
  • Circuit judges
• Appointment of judges

  Circuit judges appointed for 5 years, security of tenure only monarch can remove senior judges
• Judges can be moved by the lord chancellor, but not dismissed
• Judges have immunity from being sued, even if they make mistakes in their decisions
• Judicial independence

  Judges perform without fear of repercussions, not influenced by personal interests, only bound by the law
• Reasons for judicial independence

  • Protects the court from abuse of power
  • Upholds democracy and the rule of law
  • Prevents judges from being forced to resign due to unfavourable decisions