Judicial independence

• • Judges are free from influence from the legislature – judges are not allowed to be MPs.
• • Judges are free from influence from the government – they can make decisions which may displease the government without the threat of dismissal. For example Brexit High Court Ruling November 2016
• Judges should be free from political bias, but there are cases which show that judges tend to support the government - See the Spycatcher case (next slide)
• Judges have been seen to show political bias,

  • R v Ponting (1985).
• Judges tend to show right wing bias, (male pale and stale)

  • Thomas v NUM (1985).
• Bias against women - concern in sexual offences.
• Constitutional Reform Act 2005 tried to address the majority Oxbridge educated judges.