|
Press Office Set Up for Judges |
|
|
|
The Scotsman
By David Barrett, PA Legal Affairs Correspondent
Judges in England and Wales are to get their own press officers for the first time, it was announced today.
The Lord Chief Justice, Lord Woolf, is setting up a communications office at the Royal Courts of Justice in the Strand.
Until now, media queries about judicial matters and the Lord Chief Justice ? the most senior judge in England and Wales ? have been handled by the Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA).
But with the Lord Chief Justice due to gain significant new powers under the Government?s Constitutional Reform Bill, the creation of a new department marks an important separation of roles.
For example, if the Bill completes its journey through Parliament, the Lord Chief Justice rather than the Lord Chancellor will be responsible for examining complaints about judges from members of the public.
A DCA spokesman said the new department would seek to boost public understanding of the judiciary as well as handling media inquiries.
A website providing information about judges and their work will be one of its first projects, he added.
Lord Woolf said: ?The reason I am establishing this office is to increase the public?s confidence in judges, and full-time tribunal chairmen and members, as part of an overall requirement to enhance public confidence in the justice system.
?In the past judges have been very well supported in our communications needs by successive Lord Chancellors who have generously made the facilities of their departmental press office available to us.
?However, I have been aware for some time that the judiciary needs to expand its communications base more widely, from a relatively narrow focus on media relations to a more comprehensive information service for the public as a whole.?
He added: ?Although our relationship with the media remains important, a major element of the work of the new communications office will be to provide the public with a sound understanding of how judges operate.?
A team of two communications officers will begin work on April 4. |
Events Calendar