Current debates about the judicial selection process are amusing Clive Jones, a consultant with Wrexham firm GHP Legal. He recalls, after some contested advocacy, being invited in to the private room of a senior county court judge and asked if he would consent to be recommended for appointment to judicial office. ‘I was flattered and agreed.’ He duly submitted an application, supported by a reference from a Queen’s Counsel (‘now a very distinguished Queen’s Counsel indeed!’) and received an acknowledgement reading: ‘Dear Jones, Your application is receiving attention.’ Then… silence. That was in 1980, he says: ‘Do you think it is time I heard something more? Would it be unduly impatient of me to ask if it is still receiving attention?’­