Discuss the role of judges in the English legal system. Do you think that the method of appointment of judges should be changed?

The first 200 words of this essay...

W200 - Introduction to Law

TMA #2 - Due 23 April 2003 (extended to 02 May 2003)

Peter Williamson

Question 2

Discuss the role of judges in the English legal system. Do you think that the method of appointment of judges should be changed?

Judges play an extremely important role in the administration of both civil and criminal justice. Judges are required to supervise the conduct of trials, make decisions on matters of law, evidence and procedure and interpret statutes; they are also required to sum up the case to the jury and give them guidance (in criminal cases) and pass sentence on people who have been convicted (in criminal cases) additionally in civil cases they must decide the result and award of compensation to successful plaintiffs.

It can be argued that the key element and function of judges is to interpret the law. A vast proportion of English law is made by judges who must decide cases by interpretation of precedent i.e. deciding one case in accordance with the principle which governed a former case; this leads in turn to the formation of fixed rules for the interpretation of cases (judicial precedent) and