Constitutional Reform Act 2005

Puisne judges and other office holders U.K.

85 Selection of puisne judges and other office holders U.K.

(1) Sections 86 to [F1 88] apply to—

(a) a recommendation for an appointment to the office of puisne judge of the High Court;

(b) a recommendation for an appointment to an office listed in Part 1 of Schedule 14 in exercise of Her Majesty's function under the enactment listed opposite that office;

(c) an appointment to an office listed in [F2 Table 1 of] Part 2 or 3 of that Schedule in exercise of the Lord Chancellor's function under the enactment listed opposite that office.

[F3 (d) an appointment to an office listed in Table 2 of Part 2 of that Schedule in exercise of the Lord Chief Justice's function under the enactment listed opposite that office;

(e) an appointment to an office listed in Table 2 of Part 3 of that Schedule in exercise of the function of the Senior President of Tribunals under the enactment listed opposite that office.]

(2) Any such recommendation or appointment must be made in accordance with those sections and section [F4 94C and regulations made under it].

[F5 (2A) This section is subject to—

(a) section 30(4) of the Courts-Martial (Appeals) Act 1951,

(b) sections 91(1ZB) and 102(1C) of the Supreme Court Act 1981,

(c) section 8(1ZC) of the County Courts Act 1984, and

(d) sections 94A [F6 , 94AA] and 94B below.]

(3) The Lord Chancellor may by order make any of the following amendments to Schedule 14—

(a) an amendment which adds a reference to an enactment under which appointments are made to an office;

(b) an amendment which adds a reference to an office to which appointments are made under an enactment;

(c) an amendment consequential on the abolition or change of name of an office;

(d) an amendment consequential on the substitution of one or more enactments for an enactment under which appointments are made to an office.

[F7 (4) The Lord Chancellor may by order amend section 94A [F8 , 94AA] or 94B if he thinks that the amendment is consequential on an amendment made to Schedule 14 by an order under subsection (3).]

[F9 (5) The Lord Chancellor may by order provide that this section does not apply to appointments to an office listed in Schedule 14 that is specified in the order.

(6) An office may not be specified in an order under subsection (5) if—

(a) the provisions governing appointment to the office provide that a person is eligible for appointment only where the person satisfies the single condition specified in the provisions, and

(b) that condition is one of the conditions listed in subsection (8).

(7) An office may not be specified in an order under subsection (5) if—

(a) the provisions governing appointment to the office provide that a person is eligible for appointment only where the person satisfies one or some other particular number or all, or at least one or at least some other particular number, of several conditions specified in the provisions, and

(b) at least one of the conditions specified in the provisions is listed in subsection (8).

(8) The conditions are—

(a) that the person satisfies the judicial-appointment eligibility condition on an N-year basis (where N is a particular number);

(b) that the person is a solicitor in Scotland of at least a particular number of years' standing;

(c) that the person is an advocate in Scotland of at least a particular number of years' standing;

(d) that the person is a solicitor in Northern Ireland of at least a particular number of years' standing;

(e) that the person is a barrister in Northern Ireland of at least a particular number of years' standing.

(9) Before making an order under subsection (5) the Lord Chancellor must consult the Lord Chief Justice, the Lord President of the Court of Session and the Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland.

(10) An order under subsection (5)—

(a) may make different provision for different purposes;

(b) may make consequential, transitory, transitional or saving provision.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Word in s. 85(1) substituted (1.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 13 para. 64(2)(a); S.I. 2013/2200, art. 3(e) (with savings in S.I. 2013/2192, regs. 48, 49)

F2 Words in s. 85(1)(c) inserted (1.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 13 para. 64(2)(b); S.I. 2013/2200, art. 3(e) (with savings in S.I. 2013/2192, regs. 48, 49)

F3 S. 85(1)(d)(e) inserted (1.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 13 para. 64(2)(c); S.I. 2013/2200, art. 3(e) (with savings in S.I. 2013/2192, regs. 48, 49)

F4 Words in s. 85(2) substituted (1.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 13 para. 64(3); S.I. 2013/2200, art. 3(e) (with savings in S.I. 2013/2192, regs. 48, 49)

F5 S. 85(2A) inserted (19.7.2007) by Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 (c. 15), s. 53(3)

F6 Word in s. 85(2A)(d) inserted (1.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 14 para. 3(4); S.I. 2013/2200, art. 3(g)

F7 S. 85(4) inserted (19.7.2007) by Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 (c. 15), s. 53(4)

F8 Word in s. 85(4) inserted (1.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 14 para. 3(4); S.I. 2013/2200, art. 3(g)

F9 S. 85(5)-(10) inserted (1.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 13 para. 64(4); S.I. 2013/2200, art. 3(e) (with savings in S.I. 2013/2192, regs. 48, 49)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 85 excluded (19.7.2009) by Supreme Court Act 1981 (c. 54), s. 91(1ZB) (as inserted by Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 (c. 15), ss. 57(3))

C2 S. 85 excluded (19.9.2009) by Courts-Martial (Appeals) Act 1951 (c. 46), s. 30(4) (as inserted by Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 (c. 15), ss. 58(3); S.I. 2007/2709, art. 2(a))

Commencement Information

I1 S. 85 wholly in force at 2.4.2007; s. 85 not in force at Royal Assent see s. 148; s. 85(3) in force 1.10.2005 by S.I. 2005/2505; s. 85(1)(b)(c)(2) in force at 3.4.2006 by S.I. 2006/1014, art. 2(a), Sch. 1 para. 19; s. 85(1)(a) in force at 2.4.2007 by S.I. 2006/1014, art. 2(b), Sch. 2 para. 2

86 Duty to fill vacancies U.K.

(1) The Lord Chancellor must make a recommendation to fill any vacancy in the office of puisne judge of the High Court or in an office listed in Part 1 of Schedule 14.

[F10 (1A) The Lord Chancellor must, as soon as is reasonably practicable after being informed by the Lord Chief Justice that a selection under this Chapter for a recommendation for an appointment to an office listed in Table 2 of Part 1 of that Schedule has been accepted unconditionally or subject to conditions that have since been met, make a recommendation of the selected person for an appointment to that office.

(1B) The Lord Chancellor must, as soon as is reasonably practicable after being informed by the Senior President of Tribunals that a selection under this Chapter for a recommendation for an appointment to an office listed in Table 3 of Part 1 of that Schedule has been accepted unconditionally or subject to conditions that have since been met, make a recommendation of the selected person for an appointment to that office.]

(2) The Lord Chancellor must make an appointment to fill any vacancy in an office listed in [F11 Table 1 of] Part 2 or 3 of that Schedule.

[F12 (2A) The Lord Chief Justice must make an appointment to fill any vacancy in an office listed in Table 2 of Part 2 of that Schedule.

(2B) The Senior President of Tribunals must make an appointment to fill any vacancy in an office listed in Table 2 of Part 3 of that Schedule.]

(3) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to a vacancy while the Lord Chief Justice agrees that it may remain unfilled.

[F13 (4) Subsections (2A) and (2B) do not apply to a vacancy while the Lord Chancellor agrees that it may remain unfilled.]

Textual Amendments

F10 S. 86(1A)(1B) inserted (1.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 13 para. 65(2); S.I. 2013/2200, art. 3(e) (with savings in S.I. 2013/2192, regs. 48, 49)

F11 Words in s. 86(2) inserted (1.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 13 para. 65(3); S.I. 2013/2200, art. 3(e) (with savings in S.I. 2013/2192, regs. 48, 49)

F12 S. 86(2A)(2B) inserted (1.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 13 para. 65(4); S.I. 2013/2200, art. 3(e) (with savings in S.I. 2013/2192, regs. 48, 49)

F13 S. 86(4) inserted (1.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 13 para. 65(5); S.I. 2013/2200, art. 3(e) (with savings in S.I. 2013/2192, regs. 48, 49)

87 Request for selection U.K.

(1) The Lord Chancellor may request the Commission to select a person for a recommendation or appointment to which this section applies.

[F14 (1A) The Lord Chancellor may request the Commission to select a person for membership of a pool for requests under section 9(1) of the Senior Courts Act 1981, and a person may become a member of such a pool only by selection on a request under this subsection.]

(2) Before making a request the Lord Chancellor must consult the Lord Chief Justice.

(3) A request may relate to more than one recommendation or appointment.

(4) [F15 Section 88 applies] where the Lord Chancellor makes a request under this section.

(5) [F16 That section is] subject to section 95 (withdrawal and modification of requests).

Textual Amendments

F14 S. 87(1A) inserted (1.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 13 para. 66(2); S.I. 2013/2200, art. 3(e) (with savings in S.I. 2013/2192, regs. 48, 49)

F15 Words in s. 87(4) substituted (1.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 13 para. 66(3); S.I. 2013/2200, art. 3(e) (with savings in S.I. 2013/2192, regs. 48, 49)

F16 Words in s. 87(5) substituted (1.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 13 para. 66(4); S.I. 2013/2200, art. 3(e) (with savings in S.I. 2013/2192, regs. 48, 49)

88 Selection process U.K.

(1) On receiving a request the Commission must—

(a) determine the selection process to be applied,

(b) apply the selection process, and

(c) make a selection accordingly.

F17 (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F18 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4) One person only may be selected for each recommendation [F19 , appointment or pool membership] to which a request relates.

(5) Subsection (4) applies to selection under this section and to selection under [F20 regulations under section 94C].

Textual Amendments

F17 S. 88(2) omitted (1.10.2013) by virtue of Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 13 para. 67(a); S.I. 2013/2200, art. 3(e) (with savings in S.I. 2013/2192, regs. 48, 49)

F18 S. 88(3) omitted (1.10.2013) by virtue of Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 13 para. 67(b); S.I. 2013/2200, art. 3(e) (with savings in S.I. 2013/2192, regs. 48, 49)

F19 Words in s. 88(4) substituted (1.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 13 para. 67(c); S.I. 2013/2200, art. 3(e) (with savings in S.I. 2013/2192, regs. 48, 49)

F20 Words in s. 88(5) substituted (1.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 13 para. 67(d); S.I. 2013/2200, art. 3(e) (with savings in S.I. 2013/2192, regs. 48, 49)

F21 89 Report U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F21 Ss. 89-93 omitted (1.10.2013) by virtue of Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 13 para. 53(2)(d); S.I. 2013/2200, art. 3(e) (with savings in S.I. 2013/2192, regs. 48, 49)

F21 90 The Lord Chancellor's options U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F21 Ss. 89-93 omitted (1.10.2013) by virtue of Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 13 para. 53(2)(d); S.I. 2013/2200, art. 3(e) (with savings in S.I. 2013/2192, regs. 48, 49)

F21 91 Exercise of powers to reject or require reconsideration U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F21 Ss. 89-93 omitted (1.10.2013) by virtue of Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 13 para. 53(2)(d); S.I. 2013/2200, art. 3(e) (with savings in S.I. 2013/2192, regs. 48, 49)

F21 92 Selection following rejection or requirement to reconsider U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F21 Ss. 89-93 omitted (1.10.2013) by virtue of Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 13 para. 53(2)(d); S.I. 2013/2200, art. 3(e) (with savings in S.I. 2013/2192, regs. 48, 49)

F21 93 Reconsideration of decision not to select U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F21 Ss. 89-93 omitted (1.10.2013) by virtue of Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 13 para. 53(2)(d); S.I. 2013/2200, art. 3(e) (with savings in S.I. 2013/2192, regs. 48, 49)

[F22 94 Power to require persons to be identified for future requests U.K.

(1) If the Lord Chancellor gives the Commission notice of a request which the Lord Chancellor expects to make under section 87, the Commission must seek to identify persons it considers would be suitable for selection on the request.

(2) The Lord Chancellor may, by regulations made with the agreement of the Lord Chief Justice, make provision about how the Commission is to comply with a duty imposed on it by subsection (1).

(3) The regulations may in particular—

(a) make provision as to things that are, or as to things that are not, to be done—

(i) in complying with such a duty, or

(ii) in determining how to comply with such a duty;

(b) provide for the making of reports.

(4) Regulations under this section—

(a) may make different provision for different purposes;

(b) may make consequential, supplementary, transitory, transitional or saving provision.]

Textual Amendments

F22 S. 94 substituted (1.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 13 para. 68; S.I. 2013/2200, art. 3(e) (with savings in S.I. 2013/2192, regs. 48, 49)

[F23 94A Appointments not subject to section 85: courts U.K.

(1) Where this section applies to an appointment—

(a) section 85 does not apply, but

[F24 (b) the person who has the power to make the appointment, whether the Lord Chancellor or the Lord Chief Justice, may not make the appointment without the concurrence of the other of them.]

(2) This section applies to the appointment of a person, on a fee-paid basis, to an office in the table below (the “proposed appointment”) if the person—

(a) holds the corresponding qualifying office (or one of them) on a salaried basis, or

(b) ceased to hold the corresponding qualifying office (or one of them) within two years ending with the date when the proposed appointment takes effect and, immediately before ceasing to hold that office, held it on a salaried basis.

Proposed appointment (fee-paid)	Qualifying office (salaried)
An office listed in Part 2 of Schedule 14.	The same office.
Deputy District Judge (Magistrates' Courts).	District Judge (Magistrates' Courts), Senior District Judge (Chief Magistrate), or Deputy Senior District Judge (Chief Magistrate).
Assistant Judge Advocate General, or a person appointed temporarily to assist the Judge Advocate General.	Judge Advocate of Her Majesty's Fleet, Judge Advocate General, Vice Judge Advocate General, or Assistant Judge Advocate General.

(3) The Lord Chief Justice may nominate a judicial office holder (as defined in section 109(4)) to exercise his function [F25 of concurring] under subsection (1)(b).

(4) In this section “salaried” and “fee-paid” have the meaning given by paragraph 1(2) of Schedule 7 to the Judicial Pensions and Retirement Act 1993 (c. 8).

Textual Amendments

F23 Ss. 94A, 94B inserted (19.7.2007) by Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 (c. 15), s. 53(2)

F24 S. 94A(1)(b) substituted (1.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 13 para. 40(2); S.I. 2013/2200, art. 3(e) (with savings in S.I. 2013/2192, regs. 48, 49)

F25 Words in s. 94A(3) inserted (1.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 13 para. 40(3); S.I. 2013/2200, art. 3(e) (with savings in S.I. 2013/2192, regs. 48, 49)

[F26 94AA Appointments not subject to section 85: High Court deputy judge U.K.

(1) Where this section applies to an appointment, section 85 does not apply.

(2) This section applies to the appointment of a person as a deputy judge of the High Court if it appears to the Lord Chief Justice, after consulting the Lord Chancellor, that—

(a) there is an urgent need to take steps in order to facilitate the disposal of particular business in the High Court or Crown Court,

(b) it is expedient as a temporary measure to make the appointment in order to facilitate the disposal of the business, and

(c) there are no other reasonable steps that it is practicable to take within the time available in order to facilitate the disposal of the business.

(3) An appointment to which this section applies is to be made—

(a) so as not to extend beyond the day on which the particular business concerned is concluded, or

(b) so as not to extend beyond the later of—

(i) the day on which the business is concluded, or

(ii) the day expected when the appointment is made to be the day on which the business is concluded.]

Textual Amendments

F26 S. 94AA inserted (1.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 14 para. 3(3); S.I. 2013/2200, art. 3(g)

94B Appointments not subject to section 85: tribunals U.K.

(1) Where this section applies to a recommendation or appointment—

(a) section 85 does not apply, but

[F27 (b) the person who has the power to make the appointment, whether the Lord Chancellor or the Senior President of Tribunals, may not make the appointment without the concurrence of the other of them.]

(2) In the case of the appointment of a person as a deputy judge of the Upper Tribunal, if the person holds or has held an office listed in section 6(1) of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007, the [F28 Senior President of Tribunals] must also consult the Lord Chief Justice before making the appointment.

(3) This section applies to, or to a recommendation to Her Majesty for, the appointment of a person, on a fee-paid basis, to an office in the table below (the “proposed appointment”) if the person—

(a) holds the corresponding qualifying office (or one of them) on a salaried basis, or

(b) subject to subsection (4), ceased to hold the corresponding qualifying office (or one of them) within two years ending with the date when the proposed appointment takes effect and, immediately before ceasing to hold that office, held it on a salaried basis.

Proposed appointment (fee-paid)	Qualifying office (salaried)
An office listed in Part 3 of Schedule 14 (other than the office of Chamber President or Deputy Chamber President of a chamber of the Upper Tribunal or the First-tier Tribunal).	The same office, or a more senior office, listed in Part 3 of Schedule 14, in the same tribunal or body (but excluding the Upper Tribunal and the First-tier Tribunal).
F29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	F29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	F29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deputy judge of the Upper Tribunal.	Ordinary judge of the Court of Appeal in England and Wales, Lord Justice of Appeal in Northern Ireland, Judge of the Court of Session, Puisne judge of the High Court in England and Wales or Northern Ireland, Circuit judge, Sheriff in Scotland, County court judge in Northern Ireland, District judge in England and Wales or Northern Ireland, District Judge (Magistrates' Courts), or Judge of the Upper Tribunal by virtue of any of paragraphs (a) to (f) or (i) of section 5(1) of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007.
Judge of the First-tier Tribunal by appointment under paragraph 1(1) of Schedule 2 to the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007.	Transferred-in judge of the First-tier Tribunal (see section 31(2) of that Act).
Other member of the First-tier Tribunal by appointment under paragraph 2(1) of Schedule 2 to the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007.	Transferred-in other member of the First-tier Tribunal (see section 31(2) of that Act).
Judge of the Upper Tribunal by appointment under paragraph 1(1) of Schedule 3 to the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007.	Transferred-in judge of the Upper Tribunal (see section 31(2) of that Act).
Other member of the Upper Tribunal by appointment under paragraph 2(1) of Schedule 3 to the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007.	Transferred-in other member of the Upper Tribunal (see section 31(2) of that Act).
Deputy judge of the Upper Tribunal by appointment under paragraph 7(1) of Schedule 3 to the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007.	Deputy judge of the Upper Tribunal under section 31(2) of that Act.

(4) In subsection (3)(b) the words “within two years ending with the date when the proposed appointment takes effect” do not apply if—

(a) the proposed appointment is to the office of deputy judge of the Upper Tribunal, and

(b) the corresponding qualifying office is—

(i) ordinary judge of the Court of Appeal in England and Wales,

(ii) Lord Justice of Appeal in Northern Ireland,

(iii) judge of the Court of Session, or

(iv) puisne judge of the High Court in England and Wales or Northern Ireland.

(5) In this section “salaried” and “fee-paid” have the meaning given by paragraph 1(2) of Schedule 7 to the Judicial Pensions and Retirement Act 1993.

[F30 (6) Section 8(1) of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 (power of Senior President of Tribunals to delegate functions) does not apply to—

(a) the Senior President of Tribunals' function of concurring under subsection (1)(b), or

(b) the Senior President of Tribunals' function under subsection (2).]]

Textual Amendments

F23 Ss. 94A, 94B inserted (19.7.2007) by Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 (c. 15), s. 53(2)

F27 S. 94B(1)(b) substituted (1.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 13 para. 48(2); S.I. 2013/2200, art. 3(e) (with savings in S.I. 2013/2192, regs. 48, 49)

F28 Words in s. 94B(2) substituted (1.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 13 para. 48(3); S.I. 2013/2200, art. 3(e) (with savings in S.I. 2013/2192, regs. 48, 49)

F29 S. 94B(3): table entries omitted (3.11.2008) by virtue of The Transfer of Tribunal Functions Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/2833), art. 9, Sch. 3 para. 218

F30 S. 94B(6) inserted (1.10.2013) by Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 13 para. 48(4); S.I. 2013/2200, art. 3(e) (with savings in S.I. 2013/2192, regs. 48, 49)