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House of Commons

Session 2004 - 05 Internet Publications Other Bills before Parliament

Constitutional Reform Bill [HL]

Constitutional Reform Bill [HL]
explanatory notes
Explanatory notes to the Bill, prepared by the Department for Constitutional Affairs,
will be published separately as Bill 18—EN.
EUROPEAN CONVENTION ON HUMAN RIGHTS
Mr Christopher Leslie has made the following statement under section 19(1)(a) of the
Human Rights Act 1998:
In my view the provisions of the Constitutional Reform Bill [HL] are compatible with
the Convention rights.
Bill 18 53/4
Constitutional Reform Bill [HL]
Bill 18                                                                                                  53/4
Contents
Part 1
The rule of law
1    The rule of law
Part 2
Arrangements to modify the office of Lord Chancellor
Qualifications for office of Lord Chancellor
2    Requirement of membership of the House of Lords
3    Legal qualifications
Continued judicial independence
4    Guarantee of continued judicial independence
5    Guarantee of continued judicial independence: Northern Ireland
The judiciary and the courts
6    Representations to Parliament
7    President of the Courts of England and Wales
8    Head and Deputy Head of Criminal Justice
9    Head and Deputy Head of Family Justice
10    Powers to make rules
11    Powers to give directions
12    Transfer of appointment functions to Her Majesty
13    Other functions of the Lord Chancellor and organisation of the courts
Lord Chancellor’s oath
14    Lord Chancellor’s oath
Speakership of the House of Lords
15    Speakership of the House of Lords
Functions subject to transfer, modification or abolition
16    Transfer, modification or abolition of functions by order
Bill 18 53/4
Constitutional Reform Bill [HL] iv
17    Protected functions not transferable under Ministers of the Crown Act 1975
18    Amendment of Schedule 6
Supplementary
19    Transfers: supplementary
Part 3
The Supreme Court
The Supreme Court
20    The Supreme Court
21    First members of the Court
Appointment of judges
22    Qualification for appointment
23    Selection of members of the Court
24    Selection process
25    Report
26    The Minister’s options
27    Exercise of powers to reject or require reconsideration
28    Selection following rejection or requirement to reconsider
Terms of appointment
29    Oath of allegiance and judicial oath
30    Tenure
31    Salaries and allowances
32    Resignation and retirement
33    Medical retirement
34    Pensions
Acting judges
35    Acting judges
36    Supplementary panel
Jurisdiction and relation to other courts etc
37    Jurisdiction
38    Relation to other courts etc
Composition for proceedings
39    Composition
40    Changes in composition
Practice and procedure
41    Specially qualified advisers
42    Making of rules
Constitutional Reform Bill [HL] v
43    Procedure after rules made
44    Photography etc
Staff and resources
45    Chief executive
46    Officers and staff
47    Accommodation and other resources
48    System to support Court in carrying on business
Fees
49    Fees
50    Fees: supplementary
Annual report
51    Annual report
Supplementary
52    Records of the Supreme Court
53    Proceedings under jurisdiction transferred to Supreme Court
54    Interpretation of Part 3
Part 4
Judicial appointments and discipline
Chapter 1
Commission and Ombudsman
55    The Judicial Appointments Commission
56    Judicial Appointments and Conduct Ombudsman
Chapter 2
Appointments
General provisions
57    Merit and good character
58    Guidance about procedures
59    Guidance: supplementary
Lord Chief Justice and Heads of Division
60    Selection of Lord Chief Justice and Heads of Division
61    Selection process
62    Selection panel
63    Report
64    The Minister’s options
65    Exercise of powers to reject or require reconsideration
Constitutional Reform Bill [HL] vi
66    Selection following rejection or requirement to reconsider
Lords Justices of Appeal
67    Selection of Lords Justices of Appeal
68    Selection process
69    Selection panel
70    Report
71    The Minister’s options
72    Exercise of powers to reject or require reconsideration
73    Selection following rejection or requirement to reconsider
Puisne judges and other office holders
74    Selection of puisne judges and other office holders
75    Request
76    Selection process
77    Report
78    The Minister’s options
79    Exercise of powers to reject or require reconsideration
80    Selection following rejection or requirement to reconsider
81    Reconsideration of decision not to select
82    Withdrawal of request
83    Scotland and Northern Ireland
Assistance in connection with other appointments
84    Assistance in connection with other appointments
Complaints and references
85    Complaints: interpretation
86    Complaints to the Commission or the Minister
87    Complaints to the Ombudsman
88    Report and recommendations
89    Report procedure
90    References by the Minister
91    Information
Miscellaneous
92    Consultation on appointment of lay justices
93    Disclosure of information to the Commission
Chapter 3
Discipline
Procedures
94    Disciplinary powers
95    Disciplinary powers: interpretation
96    Regulations about procedures
97    Contents of regulations
Constitutional Reform Bill [HL] vii
98    Procedural rules
99    Extension of discipline provisions to other offices
Complaints and references
100    Investigations by the Ombudsman relating to conduct
101    Report and recommendations
102    Report procedure
103    References to the Ombudsman relating to conduct
Chapter 4
Interpretation of Part 4
104    Interpretation of Part 4
Part 5
Judicial Discipline: Northern Ireland
105    Removal from most senior judicial offices
106    Removal from listed judicial offices
107    Tribunals for considering removal
108    Interpretation of Part 5
Part 6
Other provisions relating to the judiciary
109    Parliamentary disqualification
110    Judicial Committee of the Privy Council
Part 7
General
111    Confidentiality
112    “Enactment”
113    “Subordinate legislation”
114    General interpretation
115    Supplementary provision etc
116    Orders and regulations
117    Minor and consequential amendments
118    Repeals and revocations
119    Extent
120    Commencement
121    Short title
Schedule 1   —    Powers to make rules
Part 1   —
The process
Part 2   —
Rule-making powers subject to the process in Part 1

© Parliamentary copyright 2004	Revised 22 December 2004