Clause 24 - Deputy District Judges (Magistrates' Courts)
Courts Bill [Lords]
11:15 am
Mr David Heath (Somerton and Frome, Liberal Democrat)
I am sorry. I do not want to labour this, but the Minister is missing the point. He has persuaded me that the district judge has a very important position and must be appointed directly by Her Majesty with the advice of the Lord Chancellor. He has not yet persuaded me that the deputy district judge should be appointed under the fiat of the Lord Chancellor with no reference to an instrument in the name of Her Majesty. That is a necessary part of the appointment of lay justices. There must be a reason for that other than simple omission. What is it?