To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what (a) primary and (b) secondary legislation regulates the appointment of judges; what changes have been made since enactment; what further changes are planned; what discussions he has had with (i) the Bar Council and (ii) Law Society about such legislation; and if he will make a statement. (206134)

The main legislation regulating the appointment of judges is the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (CRA). Schedule 14 to the CRA sets out the primary and secondary legislation relating to those judicial posts where selection by the Judicial Appointments Commission is required, covering the great majority of appointments to courts and tribunals.

Amendments to the CRA are contained in the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007.

Further planned changes to the judicial appointments process are included in the draft Constitutional Renewal Bill (March 2008).

The Bar Council and the Law Society were included in full discussions about this legislation and continue to be consulted regularly about the judicial appointments process.