The Question is that this bill be read a second time. As many as are of that opinion say content... and of the contrary not content. Division! Clear the bar.

Judicial Dismissal Bill 2018

A

BILL

TO

Make provisions for the removal of Parliament’s ability to dismiss judges through a petition in both Houses of Parliament and to allocate the powers of dismissal to the Judicial Complaints Commission.

BE IT ENACTED by the Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows –

1: Power of Parliament to remove a person from judicial office

1. Parliament can no longer dismiss a judge through a petition passed by both Houses of Parliament.
2. Parliament may only recommend the removal of a person in judicial office after a petition has been passed by both Houses of Parliament.

2: Powers of the Judicial Complaints Commission

1. The Office of Judicial Complaints (OJC) will now handle judicial dismissal.
2. Even if a petition recommending the removal of a judge is passed by both Houses of Parliament, the OJC are under no obligation to follow said wishes and may act according to the evidence set out before them.
3. The OJC may dismiss a judge, on the advice of the Lord Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom.
   (a) Superior judges may hold judicial whilst of good behaviour.
   
   • (i) Superior judges may only be removed from judicial office for serious misconduct.
     
   • (ii) In the event that a superior judge is dismissed, the OJC will tell the Lord Chief Justice and the President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom who will be the ones to dismiss the judges.

3: Commencement, Extent and Short Title

1. This Act comes into force upon Royal Assent.
2. This Act extends to the whole of the United Kingdom.
3. This Act shall be known as the Judicial Dismissal Act 2018.

This legislation was written by the Rt Hon. The Lord of Worth Matravers on behalf of the National Unionist Party.

This division ends 11th June.