2. Lord Chief Justice of England
and Wales
On 3rd April 2006, when the
Constitutional Reform Act 2005 came
into force, the Lord Chief Justice
became head of the judiciary of
England and Wales, a role previously
held by the Lord Chancellor.
The current Lord Chief Justice is also
Head of Criminal Justice and
President of the Courts of England
and Wales.
3. Who is the current Lord Chef
Justice?
Lord Phillips of
Worth Matravers
Where have we
seen him before?
6. Key responsibilities
Under the Constitutional Reform Act
2005, the Lord Chief Justice has some
400 statutory duties. His key
responsibilities include:
◦ Representing the views of the judiciary of
England and Wales to Parliament and
Government.
◦ The welfare, training and guidance of the
judiciary in England and Wales within
resources made available by the Lord
Chancellor. The Lord Chief Justice discusses
with Government the provision of resources
for the judiciary.
◦ The deployment of judges and allocation of
work in courts in England and Wales.
7. What else?
Sits on important criminal, civil and family cases. He
gives judgments and lays down practice directions in
many of the most important appeal cases.
Shares responsibility with the Lord Chancellor for the
Office for Judicial Complaints, the body which
investigates complaints made against judicial office
holders.
Chairs the Sentencing Guidelines Council, a public
body designed to support sentencers in their decision-
making, and encourage consistency in sentencing
throughout the court system.
Chairs the Judicial Executive Board and the Judges’
Council, two bodies which assist him in managing his
responsibilities. Is also President of the Magistrates’
Association.
Is President of the Courts of England and Wales and
may hear cases in any English or Welsh court, including
Magistrates’ Courts.
8. What act changed the way the head of
the judiciary was arranged?
Who is the current head of the
judiciary?
What is his title?
