CRA 2005

“An Act to make provision for modifying the office of Lord Chancellor, and to make provision relating to the functions of that office; to establish a Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, and to abolish the appellate jurisdiction of the House of Lords; to make provision about the jurisdiction of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council and the judicial functions of the President of the Council; to make other provision about the judiciary, their appointment and discipline; and for connected purposes.”

The Constitutional Reform Bill was introduced to the House of Lords on 24 February 2004, approved by both Houses on 21 March 2005, and received Royal Assent on 24 March. The CRA 2005 provides for the separation of the judiciary from the legislature and the executive.

Firstly, the Act gives the government ministers a duty to uphold the independence of the judiciary. They will be specifically limited from trying to influence judicial decisions through any special access to judges.

Secondly, the Act reforms the post of Lord Chancellor, transferring his judicial functions to President of the Courts of England and Wales. He will be responsible for the training, guidance and deployment of judges. He will also represent the views of the judiciary of England and Wales to Parliament and ministers.

Additionally, the Act establishes a new, independent Supreme Court, separate from the House of Lords with its own independent appointments system, its own staff and budget and, ultimately, its own building. 

Moreover, the Act establishes an independent Commission, responsible for selecting candidates to recommend for judicial appointment and it examines the way in which judicial appointments are made. The appointments system will be placed on a fully modern, open and transparent basis.

That's what I think,

MANU