*/
Ministers risk undermining the authority of the judiciary by starving it of funds, the country’s most senior judge warned in his valedictory speech.
Lord Neuberger – who is standing down as President of the Supreme Court after five years in the top job – has also demanded that Theresa May’s government clarify the position of the European court rulings in the UK after the country quits the EU.
‘The high quality and proper authority of the judiciary, and therefore the rule of law, is at risk if ministers and parliamentarians do not provide us with appropriate support in the form of both words and means,’ Lord Neuberger said in his leaving speech to a packed courtroom.
He went on to caution against politicising the role of the judiciary, saying that ‘misconceived attacks on judges undermine both the rule of law domestically and the international reputation of the legal system, with its consequential financial benefits to the country’.
Several days later, Lord Neuberger told BBC News that ministers urgently needed to clarify the position of rulings from the Court of Justice of the EU after Brexit. ‘If [the government] doesn’t express clearly what the judges should do about decisions of the ECJ after Brexit, or indeed any other topic after Brexit, then the judges will simply have to do their best,’ he said.
But Lord Neuberger warned that ‘to blame the judges for making the law when Parliament has failed to do so would be unfair’.
Ministers risk undermining the authority of the judiciary by starving it of funds, the country’s most senior judge warned in his valedictory speech.
Lord Neuberger – who is standing down as President of the Supreme Court after five years in the top job – has also demanded that Theresa May’s government clarify the position of the European court rulings in the UK after the country quits the EU.
‘The high quality and proper authority of the judiciary, and therefore the rule of law, is at risk if ministers and parliamentarians do not provide us with appropriate support in the form of both words and means,’ Lord Neuberger said in his leaving speech to a packed courtroom.
He went on to caution against politicising the role of the judiciary, saying that ‘misconceived attacks on judges undermine both the rule of law domestically and the international reputation of the legal system, with its consequential financial benefits to the country’.
Several days later, Lord Neuberger told BBC News that ministers urgently needed to clarify the position of rulings from the Court of Justice of the EU after Brexit. ‘If [the government] doesn’t express clearly what the judges should do about decisions of the ECJ after Brexit, or indeed any other topic after Brexit, then the judges will simply have to do their best,’ he said.
But Lord Neuberger warned that ‘to blame the judges for making the law when Parliament has failed to do so would be unfair’.
Efforts continue on gender equality, support for the Bar, meaningful reform for the sector and advocating for the rule of law
To mark International Women’s Day, Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management looks at how financial planning can help bridge the gap
Casey Randall of AlphaBiolabs answers some of the most common questions regarding relationship DNA testing for court
Leading drug, alcohol and DNA testing laboratory AlphaBiolabs has made a £500 donation to Beatson Cancer Charity in Glasgow as part of its Giving Back campaign
Girls Human Rights Festival 2025: a global gathering for change
Exclusive Q&A with Henry Dannell
Marking Neurodiversity Week 2025, an anonymous barrister shares the revelations and emotions from a mid-career diagnosis with a view to encouraging others to find out more
Patrick Green KC talks about the landmark Post Office Group litigation and his driving principles for life and practice. Interview by Anthony Inglese CB
Desiree Artesi meets Malcolm Bishop KC, the Lord Chief Justice of Tonga, who talks about his new role in the South Pacific and reflects on his career
Sir Nicholas Mostyn, former High Court judge, on starting a hit podcast with fellow ‘Parkies’ after the shock of his diagnosis
Once you submit your silk application, what happens next? Sir Paul Morgan explains each stage of the process and reflects on his experience as a member of the KC Selection Panel
