Pressure group Justice calls for Lord Irvine to step down as a judge

Pressure group Justice has proposed that the Lord Chancellor should step down as a judge and should only appoint the judiciary on the advice of an independent judicial appointments commission.
The challenge to Lord Irvine stems from concerns over his powerful position in the political executive, where he sits both in the House of Lords and in the Commons drafting legislative and constitutional reform. Justice also calls for the Lord Chief Justice to replace Irvine as head of the judiciary.
Legal changes have reinforced the need for judicial independence, particularly the fact that they are increasingly being called upon to hear applications to judicially review the government.
Justice also calls for an expansion of the judiciary by way of part-time and term appointments, as well as a career route that begins with tribunal appointments. Consideration should also be given to the nature of the status of Queen’s Counsel.