Irvine unveils shock job freeze on judges

The government has suspended the appointment of new circuit judges and recorders for up to 18 months because of uncertainty about the future structure of the criminal justice system.

The decision, revealed last week in a Lord Chancellor's Department consultation paper on possible reforms to selection procedures for the circuit bench and recordership, means that no new competitions for posts will begin for between six and 18 months.

Any vacancies that arise during the freeze will be filled from reserve lists created during last year's competitions.

The consultation paper said that 'while issues that may affect the future size and structure of the judiciary remain under discussion, it is not sensible to continue with the full-scale recruitment of circuit judges and recorders'.

Specifically, the demand for judges may change depending on the government's responses to the Auld review of criminal justice and the Halliday report on sentencing, which are expected soon.

Rodney Warren, chairman of both the Criminal Law Solicitors Association and the Law Society's access to justice working party, called the freeze 'a great shame' and said the Lord Chancellor was sending out confusing messages, as in 1999 he suspended the appointment of district judges, in the belief that recorders would take on more work.

Mr Warren claimed this new decision would increase the burden on magistrates' courts and called for a new intake of district judges.

Tony Guise, chairman of the London Solicitors Litigation Association, also expressed dismay at the impact of the freeze on access to justice.

'We note the suspension with concern, and look forward to discussing it with the department in due course,' he said.

Victoria MacCallum