The Paradox of Judicial Independence: Greater separation requires closer engagement between government and Judiciary

Half day conference organised by The Constitution Unit at UCL

Purpose of the conference:

• To discuss the book The Politics of Judicial Independence
• To debate its key message: that the greatest danger to the judiciary is not improper pressure, but lack of interest in the justice system from government and Parliament
• To look ahead to challenges in the next Parliament

Programme

13:00 - 14:00     Registration and buffet lunch

14:00 - 15:00     Keynote Lecture: Judicial Leadership
                          Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales

15:00 - 16:00     Closer engagement with the Executive: who is influencing whom? 
                          How much transparency should there be?
                          Ursula Brennan, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice
                          Sir Brian Leveson, President of the Queen’s Bench Division
                          Graham Gee, Senior Lecturer, Birmingham Law School

16:00 - 16:30     Tea & Coffee

16:30 - 17:30     Closer engagement with Parliament: costs and benefits
                          Nick Walker, Clerk to House of Commons Justice Committee
                          Sir Jack Beatson FBA, Lord Justice of Appeal
                          Patrick O’Brien, Lecturer in Law, LSE

17:30 - 18:30     Challenges for the Judges and the justice system in the new Parliament
                          Baroness Hale, Vice President of the UK Supreme Court
                          Dominic Grieve MP, former Attorney General
                          Joshua Rozenberg, writer and broadcaster

18:30 - 19:00     Drinks Reception

Registration is required, please click here