6 Conclusion
84. Many of the points raised by us in our First
Report have now been dealt with in the Bill, as amended. We are
especially pleased that the new Supreme Court will not be established
until proper accommodation has been found for it and that the
arrangements for the administration and finance of the Supreme
Court have been improved in ways which will strengthen its independence.
85. We welcome the acceptance of the Committee's
proposal that, even if the role of the Lord Chancellor were to
be changed as envisaged in the original bill, the title and status
could be retained as a means of emphasising the particular responsibility
of the holder of that office in upholding the rule of law and
the independence of the judiciary.
86. Part 4 of the Bill relating to Judicial Appointments
and Discipline will create greater transparency in the process
of selecting judges. This part of the Bill is a long overdue reform
which will preserve the long-term independence of the judiciary
and enhance its standing with the public. We note that it has
cross-party support.
87. As a result of most of the Bill's amendments
in the Lords and the Concordat the Bill is now a more effective
vehicle to achieve the Government's objectives of creating a Supreme
Court outside the legislature and maintaining the independence
of the judiciary.
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