Scotland’s most senior judge is displaying an “Edwardian establishment disdain for the hoi polloi” by rejecting calls for a register of interest for the judiciary, an MSP has said.
Conservative MSP Jackson Carlaw questioned whether “the swish of judicial ermine and velvet should cow into deference both the public and the legislature” and deter them from investigating the family and social relationships of the judiciary.
The first person employed to review judicial decisions has backed a petition for a register of interests for the judiciary to log family links, social connections and memberships of relevant bodies at Holyrood’s Public Petitions Committee.
Moi Ali, the judicial complaints reviewer, said her position is toothless, she operates on a shoestring, works three days a month maximum and has no authority to challenge judicial decisions or get feedback from the Lord President on how her recommendations are handled.
Lord President Lord Gill, Scotland’s most senior judge, declined the committee’s invitation to address the petition and the devolved Parliament has no powers to compel him to appear, according to committee convener David Stewart.
The judge will meet Mr Stewart and his deputy Chic Brodie in private, the convener told the committee. Protection of privacy and concerns about “media harassment” are central to the judiciary’s objections to the register, the committee heard.
Ms Ali challenged the judiciary’s insistence that the judicial oath to assess cases impartially should be enough to instil confidence in the legal process.”