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Supreme court denies government pressure to select a woman Supreme court denies government pressure to select a woman
(7 months later)
The UK supreme court has denied rumours that it has come under pressure from the government to select a woman for appointment to one of three current vacancies.The UK supreme court has denied rumours that it has come under pressure from the government to select a woman for appointment to one of three current vacancies.
An appointments commission is thought to have chosen Sir Anthony Hughes, Sir Roger Toulson and Patrick Hodge for the three posts.An appointments commission is thought to have chosen Sir Anthony Hughes, Sir Roger Toulson and Patrick Hodge for the three posts.
Lord Justice Hughes, 64, and Lord Justice Toulson, 66, sit in the court of appeal of England and Wales. The Hon Lord Hodge, 59, sits in the outer house of the court of session, Scotland's highest civil court.Lord Justice Hughes, 64, and Lord Justice Toulson, 66, sit in the court of appeal of England and Wales. The Hon Lord Hodge, 59, sits in the outer house of the court of session, Scotland's highest civil court.
The commission's recommendation has gone to ministers and an announcement appears to have been delayed. This has prompted widespread speculation among senior legal figures that ministers have asked the selection panel to think again.The commission's recommendation has gone to ministers and an announcement appears to have been delayed. This has prompted widespread speculation among senior legal figures that ministers have asked the selection panel to think again.
But a spokesman for the supreme court told the Guardian: "It is completely untrue to suggest that there is an unexpected delay due to ongoing dialogue with the Ministry of Justice about those being recommended for appointment."But a spokesman for the supreme court told the Guardian: "It is completely untrue to suggest that there is an unexpected delay due to ongoing dialogue with the Ministry of Justice about those being recommended for appointment."
Lady Hale is currently the only woman on the 12-person court. Asked about judicial diversity on Wednesday, Lord Neuberger, president of the supreme court, told members of the House of Lords constitution committee that recruitment to the judiciary was mainly from the bar, which was "very white, public-school, upper middle-class male". He suggested encouraging individual women to seek promotion and supported the idea of appointing academic lawyers and part-time judges at all levels.Lady Hale is currently the only woman on the 12-person court. Asked about judicial diversity on Wednesday, Lord Neuberger, president of the supreme court, told members of the House of Lords constitution committee that recruitment to the judiciary was mainly from the bar, which was "very white, public-school, upper middle-class male". He suggested encouraging individual women to seek promotion and supported the idea of appointing academic lawyers and part-time judges at all levels.
Lord Hope, the court's deputy president, agreed and pointed out that seven of the 34 most senior judges in Scotland were women.Lord Hope, the court's deputy president, agreed and pointed out that seven of the 34 most senior judges in Scotland were women.
The lord chancellor, Chris Grayling, has powers under the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 to insist that a supreme court selection commission reconsiders its selection of a candidate. But he does not have an ultimate veto.The lord chancellor, Chris Grayling, has powers under the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 to insist that a supreme court selection commission reconsiders its selection of a candidate. But he does not have an ultimate veto.
If three male candidates are appointed to the supreme court in the coming weeks, it's seen as even more likely than before that Dame Heather Hallett will become chief justice of England and Wales when Lord Judge retires at the end of September.If three male candidates are appointed to the supreme court in the coming weeks, it's seen as even more likely than before that Dame Heather Hallett will become chief justice of England and Wales when Lord Judge retires at the end of September.
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