Harry Woolf: This Bill is a triumph of democratic law-making
From a speech by the Lord Chief Justice, given at the University of Hertfordshire
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.It came as an immense shock when the Prime Minister made his announcement on 12 June 2003 that the office of Lord Chancellor would be abolished and in its place there would be a Minister of Constitutional Affairs. Within a very short period it was apparent that the proposal to abolish the office had complex implications. The office is central to many different aspects of our society. However, the institution that was most affected was the judiciary.
It came as an immense shock when the Prime Minister made his announcement on 12 June 2003 that the office of Lord Chancellor would be abolished and in its place there would be a Minister of Constitutional Affairs. Within a very short period it was apparent that the proposal to abolish the office had complex implications. The office is central to many different aspects of our society. However, the institution that was most affected was the judiciary.
My view was, and still is, that it is impossible to have as head of the judiciary, an ordinary government minister who did not even purport to be a judge. Many aspects of our society are organised on the basis that the judiciary are independent of the other arms of government, and the Lord Chancellor was the prime protector of that independence.
Fortunately, Lord Falconer, the new Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs and Lord Chancellor, accepted that it was of prime importance that the new arrangements should be in legislation which spelt out the parameters of his responsibilities, and those of the Chief Justice who was to be the new head of the judiciary. This country is a model to which many countries look for the shape of their democracies, and we must provide the correct precedent.
A huge investment has been made by the judiciary, and Lord Falconer and his department, in bringing us to the present position. The probabilities are now that the Bill will become law. If this happens, I would regard it as a triumph for the democratic process and the future administration of justice.
Particular credit for this must go to the House of Lords. They proved to be a remarkably effective revising chamber. The creation of the Bill has been a great example of responsible law-making, and so I am a much happier man than I was when that announcement was first made.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments