The Judges: Power, Politics and the People - Episode 10 - Lord Judge

This episode, the last in the series, is a tribute to Lord Judge, who was Lord Chief Justice from 2008 to 2013 and who died last November (2023).
On retiring as Lord Chief Justice, he had become a leading figure in the House of Lords. Highly influential and respected as a legislator, he was a strong defender of the rule of law and independence of the judiciary.
The interview is conducted by Frances Gibb, journalist and former legal editor of The Times, for a landmark podcast series, The Judges: Power, Politics and the People, hosted by The University of Law. The series features the most senior former judges in England and Wales of the last three decades - those who have reached the apex of the justice system. It asks: who are the men and occasionally women who have reached the pivotal positions at the top of the judiciary? What do they feel about their time in office - their key decisions and dealing with ministers?
00:00:00 Episode introduction
00:03:48 Introduction to Lord Neuberger
00:04:06 Lord Neuberger reflects on Lord Judge’s reputation
00:06:16 Sitting alongside Lord Judge in the Court of Appeal
00:09:35 Lord Judge’s appointment as Lord Chief Justice
00:10:40 Achievements as Lord Chief Justice
00:13:01 Lord Judge’s dealings with Lord Chancellors
00:15:01 Concerns over role of president of Supreme Court
00:18:29 His long-term impact
00:20:07 Guiding principles /concerns over secondary legislation
00:22:39 Personal memories
00:23:30 Introduction to Dame Anne Rafferty
00:24:05 Her reflections on working with Lord Judge
00:26:11 Impact of rulings: Angela Cannings
00:29:26 Lord Judge’s reputation among judiciary
00:30:37 Criminal courts career/background
00:31:55 Impact on standing of judiciary
00:32:55 Time in the House of Lords - and guiding principles
00:34:03 Day of Lord Judge’s valedictory
00:36:10 Legacy
00:36:35 Introduction to Lord Hennessy of Nympsfield
00:37:17 Peter Hennessy’s reflections on Lord Judge
00:39:16 His role as convenor of the cross benchers in the House of Lords
00:41:11 Faith and sense of precariousness of life
00:42:24 Lord Judge’s evidence to the Constitution Committee
00:45:01 Lord Judge’s views on rule of law
00:48:15 Lord Judge’s view on revised role of Lord Chancellor
00:49:29 Concern over shifting power balance between judiciary and executive
00:51:02 Rwanda Bill
00:52:34 Lord Hennessy’s final thoughts on Lord Judge