Courts Act 1971

24 Deputy High Court and Circuit judges

(1) If it appears to the Lord Chancellor that it is expedient as a temporary measure to make an appointment under this subsection in order to facilitate the disposal of business in the High Court or the Crown Court he may appoint a person qualified for appointment as a puisne judge of the High Court under section 9 of the Judicature Act 1925 or any person who has held office as a judge of the Court of Appeal or of the High Court to be a deputy judge of the High Court during such period or on such occasions as the Lord Chancellor thinks fit.

(2) If it appears to the Lord Chancellor that it is expedient as a temporary measure to make an appointment under this subsection in order to facilitate the disposal of business in the Crown Court or a county court he may appoint to be a deputy Circuit judge during such period or on such occasions as he thinks fit—

(a) any person qualified for appointment as a Circuit judge under section 16 above ;

(b) any person who has held office as a judge of the Court of Appeal or of the High Court or as a Circuit judge; or

(c) any person who, before the day appointed for the purposes of section 20 above, had retired from office as an official referee or judge of a county court.

(3) Except as provided by subsection (4) below, during the period or on the occasions for which a deputy judge is appointed under this section, he shall be treated for all purposes as, and accordingly may perform any of the functions of, a puisne judge of the High Court or a Circuit judge, as the case may be.

(4) A deputy judge appointed under this section shall not be treated as a judge of the High Court or Circuit judge for the purpose of any provision made by or under any enactment and relating to—

(a) the appointment, retirement, removal or disqualification of judges of the High Court or Circuit judges,

(b) the tenure of office and oaths to be taken by judges of the High Court or Circuit judges, or

(c) the remuneration, allowances or pensions of judges of the High Court or Circuit judges.

(5) Notwithstanding the expiry of any period for which a person is appointed under this section a deputy judge of the High Court or a deputy Circuit judge, he may attend at the High court, for the purpose of continuing to deal with, giving judgment in, or dealing with any ancillary matter relating to, any case which may have been begun before him when sitting as a deputy judge of the High Court or a deputy Circuit judge, and for that purpose and for the purpose of any proceedings subsequent thereon he shall be treated as a judge of the High Court or a Circuit judge, as the case may be.

(6) There shall be paid, out of money provided by Parliament, to deputy judges of the High Court and deputy Circuit judges appointed under this section such remuneration and allowances as the Lord Chancellor may, with the approval of the Minister for the Civil Service, determine.