Law Weblog

Judiciary -v- Executive

Friday 16 December 2005 at 8:28 am | In News | Post Comment

On 15 December 2005 the executive bowed to pressure from the judiciary by dropping the controversial Judicial Pensions Bill which now means the judges will not be subject to the threatened £1.5m cap on tax-free money in a pension fund.

It was believed that some High Court judges threatened to resign over the Bill, and one group had instructed leading counsel at Wilberforce Chambers.

Judges will have to pay income tax on pensions contributions just like everyone else, but they will receive a long service award on retirement which reflects the judge’s grade and years of service.

The move is seen to protect the principle of judicial independence and to not discourage suitable candidates from applying to be judges which usually means a considerable drop in salary for practising barristers and solicitors on elevation to the bench.