Clause 27 - Justices' clerks and assistant clerks
Courts Bill [Lords]
2:30 pm
Mr Nick Hawkins (Surrey Heath, Conservative)
I beg to move amendment No. 39, in
clause 27, page 13, line 7, at end insert—
'( ) Before the Lord Chancellor takes steps to remove a justices' clerk from office he shall—
(a) consult the justices for the relevant local justice area,
(b) consult the courts board for the area which includes the relevant local justice area, and
(c) consider any recommendations made to him by the justices, the courts board or the justices' clerk who is under notice of removal.'.
This amendment would have a slightly different effect.
We were talking about consultation before people were appointed, but we are now talking about the need for some level of protection before anyone is removed from the position of justices' clerk. It would be helpful if there were consultation with both the lay justices and the courts boards before the removal of a justices' clerk was contemplated. Their recommendations, or any representations by the clerk, should be considered.
I hope that the Minister will understand that we are trying to provide a level of employee protection in the Bill, and I will listen with interest to what he has to say on the subject.