9.—(1) The power of the Lord Chancellor under regulation 8 to reject a selection at stage 1 or 2 is exercisable only on the grounds that, in the Lord Chancellor’s opinion, the person selected is not suitable for the office concerned.
(2) The power of the Lord Chancellor under regulation 8 to require the selection panel to reconsider a selection at stage 1 or 2 is exercisable only on the ground that, in the Lord Chancellor’s opinion—
(a)there is not enough evidence that the person is suitable for the office of Lord Chief Justice, or
(b)there is evidence that the person is not the best candidate on merit.
(3) The Lord Chancellor must give the selection panel reasons in writing for rejecting or requiring reconsideration of a selection.