The Supreme Court could become involved in the induction process for newly elected MPs as part of work to counter misunderstandings about its role, the court's president has said.
Discussing work to educate politicians on the relationship between the government, parliament and judiciary, Lord Reed told the House of Lords constitution committee that the removal of serving judges from the House of Lords in 2009 was a loss. On the other hand, it had given judges greater freedom to engage in outreach and international work.
‘It’s all on a completely different scale from what was possible when the law lords were sitting in parliament,’ Reed said. ‘But it does mean we have to counter the downside of being outside parliament and I’m afraid the misunderstanding that because we’re a supreme court, we are therefore something analogous to the American institution.’
To counter that, Reed has been engaging with the speaker, lord speaker and chair of the House of Commons justice select committee. For instance, the committee has been invited to visit the court twice. The most recent visit took place on Monday evening.
‘The speaker has suggested that it might be possible for the court to be involved in the induction process of newly elected MPs and our chief executive will be meeting an official of the House of Commons later in the month to discuss that. We’re hoping we can take that forward,’ Reed said.
When MPs visit the court, Reed told the committee he made a point to build a ‘social side’ into the visit so both sides can get to know each other.
‘Do you think in that sense the House of Lords should encourage perhaps as a courtesy for supreme justices to use our dining facilities or even the library?’ Lord Strathclyde asked.
‘That would be very welcome,’ Reed replied. ‘The lord speaker’s lecture series – I get an invitation and it’s an opportunity for me to mix with peers. I dare say some of my colleagues might be interested as well.’
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