Having attended many of these occasions, I am keenly aware of the
imperative of being brief.
With that in mind and in the spirit of Mark Twain’s observation
that ‘a good lawyer knows the law; but a clever one takes the
judge to lunch’, I don’t intend to keep you too long from yours.
These are challenging and highly-charged times, but today allows
for a brief pause for reflection on the year just past and a look
ahead to the coming year.
As ever, you have discharged your duties with great diligence and
dignity. The individual cases over which you preside at all
levels are invariably complex and contentious in their own right
and require immense intellect, impartiality and integrity.
I am in no doubt that the judiciary and all those who work in and
support our legal sector lead the world in demonstrating those
qualities.
Judges must be able to act without fear or favour in considering,
as you rightly do, questions of law. I want to reaffirm my
commitment to you, as Lord Chancellor, to defend your
independence and uphold the rule of law.
I also want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to, and
recognise the work of judges across the jurisdictions of the
United Kingdom, in Scotland and Northern Ireland and here in
England and Wales. Collectively, they are a huge asset to this
country as a whole.
Finally, in reflecting on the legal year, I’d like to thank Sir
Brian Leveson who retired as President of the Queen’s Bench
Division in July this year and welcome Dame Victoria Sharp.
And as we mark the 10th anniversary of the Supreme Court this
year, I want to thank Lady Hale, who is retiring as President in
January, for her incisive and inspiring leadership and for her
promotion of diversity. I look forward to welcoming Lord Reed in
the new year.
With that, thank you all again, and please enjoy the lunch.
