The tough life – being a judge. THEY FLY around the world in first class at great public expense on state visits to democracies & middle eastern dictatorships, give lectures on legal ‘ethics’ to willing ears & pockets, wander around Ferrari filled museums and have such vast wealth and connections to big business, crime & tax avoidance - they refuse to declare it.
However - according to the Judicial Attitude Survey Scotland 2014, judges feel their working conditions are becoming tougher, and that they are a touch unloved by government, the media and anyone who does not conform to the closed ivory tower world of justice and the courts.
The latest survey of opinions of the highest earning judiciary in the whole European Union – Scottish judges - portray a judiciary more akin to grumpy old men than their closeted, treasured reality of £130K to £220K a year salaries plus expenses, chauffeur driven cars, multi million pound property portfolios & Victorian mansions, million pound pension pots, influence beyond many boardroom directors, racking up air miles like Strategic Air Command, the occasional political meddling and of course, that ultimate judicial power over life, the universe, and well, everything.
Bitterly complaining about their financial circumstances, the report detailing the views of the judiciary states: It is clear that the key issue for almost all Scottish judges (80%) is the loss of net earnings they have suffered over the last 5 years, and that their pay and pension together do not adequately reflect their work (74%). In addition, over half of all judges (55%) do not feel they are paid a reasonable salary for the work they do.
While almost half (43%) said the changes to pension entitlements have affected them, three-quarters of judges (74%) say they accept that some changes to pension entitlements have to be made.
Judicial Attitude Survey Scotland 2014 Judges were asked the following: "Given the current economic situation, which of the following approaches to judicial pension entitlements would you accept as fair? "In response, over three-quarters (78%) of Judges felt that the fairest approach would be reductions only for new judges entering the judiciary.
Just over half of all judges (56%) feel their case workload over the last 12 months was manageable, but 42% felt it was too high, and there were no real differences between judicial posts
All judges were asked to assess the availability of four opportunities in their current judicial post. There was little in the way of opportunities that judges in Scotland rated much more than adequate. The overwhelming majority of judges reported that in their current post the following opportunities were either non-existent or poor: opportunities for flexible working (83%) opportunities to sit in other jurisdictions (81%). A majority also said opportunities for career progression were either non-existent to poor (64%).
Morale in court came in for more criticism, as Judges were asked to rate five specific working conditions at their main court or tribunal.
Only the quality of administrative support and facilities for interaction with other judges were rated by a majority of judges as either good or excellent. Morale of court staff was rated lowest, with 74% saying it was either poor (40%) or adequate (34%).
Court resources came in for criticism – even after a recent £60m spend on Parliament house provoking M’luds to vent their disapproval on dodgy IT and internet access - in between air miles, holidays in Qatar and sniping at Holyrood committees.
Just over half of all judges in Scotland feel that library and books (53%) and the physical environment at court (51%) are good to excellent. Half (50%) feel IT support is good or excellent, but a third (32%) describe it as adequate or poor. The standard of IT equipment available in court is rated the lowest, with 43% saying it is poor and 38% saying it is adequate. Internet access is rated poor by 22% and adequate by 45%. A majority of judges (55%) rate the standard of personal IT equipment provided to them as adequate.
An overwhelming majority of judges who have been in post for at least 5 years (82%) feel that working conditions are worse now than they were 5 years ago.
While the Senators are divided in their view about working conditions compared with 5 years ago, almost all Sheriffs (88%) feel that working conditions are either significantly worse (37%) or worse (51%).
On being a judge, along with all the trappings of judicial office, the survey reports virtually all judges (98%) in Scotland feel they provide an important service to society, with 79% agreeing strongly with this view.
While most judges in Scotland have a strong personal attachment to being a member of the judiciary, this is less pronounced amongst Senators in the Inner House (67%) than those in the Outer House (100%) and Sheriffs (93%).
Over two thirds (67%) of all Scottish judges say that members of the judiciary are respected by society at large less than they were 10 years ago, with Sheriffs more likely to perceive a decline in respect (70%) than Senators (48%).
Judges feel most valued by their judicial colleagues at court (90%), court staff (88%), the legal profession (84%) and parties in cases before them (74%).
Half of all Scottish judges (50%) feel valued by the public, but very few (8%) feel valued by the government. Only 10% of the judges who replied to the survey felt they were valued by the Media.
Change is not a good thing in the eyes of judges - according to the survey. Responses from the judges made it clear they feel they must control any changes to the judiciary.
Judges were asked: What factors do you feel prompt changes that are imposed on the judiciary?
Almost all judges (91%) see government policy initiatives as driving change in the judiciary, followed by new legislation (74%) and public misunderstanding of the judiciary (66%). Just over half of all judges (56%) see media representation of judges as driving change.
Almost all judges (88%) feel their job has changed since they were appointed in ways that affect them. But while a majority of Sheriffs (52%) said the job had changed a large amount or completely, most Senators (73%) feel it has only been a limited change.
Almost all judges (84%) feel the judiciary needs control over changes affecting judges; 72% say some change is needed in the judiciary; and 60% believe too much change has been imposed on the judiciary in recent years.
There is no consensus on whether the judiciary manages change well, or whether the amount of change in recent years has brought judges to breaking point.
Almost all judges (91%) see government policy initiatives as the primary driver behind changes that are imposed on the judiciary, followed by new legislation (74%) and public misunderstanding of the judiciary (66%)
Money - the usual driver in everything from crime to justice features prominently in the minds of the judiciary.
Judges said they may consider leaving judicial positions if they do not get their own way on higher salaries.
A large proportion of the Scottish judiciary say they might consider leaving the judiciary early over the next 5 years. This is particularly marked for Senators in the Inner House, where almost three-quarters (71%) of judges who will not reach full retirement age in the next 5 years either might consider leaving early (57%) or are currently undecided (14%).
There are two main factors Scottish judges say would prompt them to leave the judiciary early: further limits on pay awards (70%) and reductions in pension benefits (70%). A majority (54%) would also be prompted to leave early by an increase in workload.
An overwhelming majority (88%) of judges said one key factor would help to keep them in the judiciary until they reach retirement age: higher remuneration.
Judges identified the main future challenges for the judiciary as: fiscal constraints (91%), reduction in support staff (84%), litigants in person (80%), attracting the best people to the judiciary (80%), judicial morale (79%) and loss of judicial independence (72%).
The survey did not contain any mention of proposals before the Scottish Parliament to create a register of judicial interests, as called for in Petition PE1458: Register of Interests for members of Scotland's judiciary. On behalf of Scotland’s entire judiciary, top judge Lord Gill has bitterly resisted any calls to require judges to declare their significant wealth in a public register. The judge – who refused to give evidence at the Scottish Parliament over the matter has also resisted calls to make the judiciary more transparent and accountable, even freezing out independent oversight of complaints about judges.
The proposals to create a register of judicial interests - submitted to the Scottish Parliament’s Public Petitions Committee in late 2012 envisages the creation of a single independently regulated register of interests containing information on judges backgrounds, their personal wealth, undeclared earnings, business & family connections inside & outside of the legal profession, offshore investments, hospitality, details on recusals and other information routinely lodged in registers of interest across all walks of public life in the UK and around the world.
Since January 2013, members of the Petitions Committee have looked at the issues raised in the petition, and took evidence from Scotland’s first Judicial Complaints Reviewer (JCR) Moi Ali - who supports the petition. During evidence at the Scottish Parliament’s Petitions Committee last September, Moi Ali told msps there was little transparency or accountability in Scotland’s judiciary.
Previous articles on the lack of transparency within Scotland’s judiciary, investigations by Diary of Injustice including reports from the media, and video footage of debates at the Scottish Parliament’s Public Petitions Committee can be found here : A Register of Interests for Scotland's Judiciary
32 comments:
Poor judges is life difficult down the coal mines m'lud?
£200K a year and all that flying around why are they flying around? They are supposed to sit in court hearing cases and judging the rest of us instead of touring the middle east.
Now that's telling it as it is!
An overwhelming majority (88%) of judges said one key factor would help to keep them in the judiciary until they reach retirement age: higher remuneration.
HAHA now we are getting to the truth and it is bugger all to do with justice and the courts!
SURPRISE! The judges are in it for the money and can be tempted to stay on if they get more of it!
A very good presentation of the facts Mr C.
I remember Mr Gill said judges cannot speak out or reply to critics.
Howver this survey seems just that and much more.The judiciary are clearly trying to show who is boss.
The part about being undervalued by government.
Well Mr Gill how about you come clean for a change and accept society is naturally suspicious of judges with so much power they tell our elected politicians to get lost over this register of your interests.
Very good Peter keep it up you are clearly having an effect.
I can assure you Judges that the courts are a lot more difficult for litigants especially when the odds are stacked against them because the system is rigged to give judges greater dividents the more they protect their secret business links. Money grabbing crooked bastards.
Well if you dont like the work or pay Lord NO NO and the rest how about doing community service and wearing high vis jackets over all those robes and wigs.You can come round and do the park near us because the trees need clipped and paint the railings too.
Poor judges I feel so sorry for the NOT!!!!!!
btw great blog :D
Memo to Brian Gill and the bench - if you are going to claim the job is not worth doing and working conditions are difficult (you jest,surely?) do not then go on to lobby for a raise in salaries to keep you in a job.
The entire attitude of this survey smacks of bankers or should I say banksters.
Courts difficult to work in. I would give them all a hammer and nail pouch and put them on building sites.
How much do you want dear Judges for sitting on your arses rigging cases?
The judges are the frequent fliers and doing so at taxpayers expense. Their jobs are commercially powerful because they work in secret unlike those doing manual jobs which are commercially useful. The crooks are the powerful with no case to answer.
"Half of all Scottish judges (50%) feel valued by the public, but very few (8%) feel valued by the government. Only 10% of the judges who replied to the survey felt they were valued by the Media"
Really?How shocking!Couldnt be anything to do with the fact the judiciary are acting just like the dictators and despots they drop in on could it?!!
"It is clear that the key issue for almost all Scottish judges (80%) is the loss of net earnings they have suffered over the last 5 years, and that their pay and pension together do not adequately reflect their work (74%). In addition, over half of all judges (55%) do not feel they are paid a reasonable salary for the work they do."
Money Money you can hear it all the way through that document of the survey.All the judges have in their head is money and how to pocket it.Is it a surprise?Well no.They sit in court and listen to claims for money all the time so they want more themselves and it rubs off.The difference here is the judges have the power to do as they please and steer the business and cases and probably the verdicts in their own interests.It is obvious now what is going on thanks to you your petition and the way the judges react to it.Trust a judge?No thanks.Their mask id now gone and greed laid bare for all to see.
Has anyone been in a Scottish Court recently?
They have the heating up at 85 degrees.
It's like they are just spending for the sale of spending because it is not their money.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2949978/We-deserve-pay-rise-say-200-000-year-judges-Half-Appeal-Court-judges-believe-don-t-earn-enough.html
same happening in England the judges want more what a bunch of greed merchants time we had your register to cover all judges in the United Kingdom not just Scotland.
Another pr disaster for the daft judges dont they get it already we all realise the rich run the world and these guys help them do exactly what they want and get to do as they want in return.
If this is another one of those judicial muscle flexing exercises it is badly thought out re the more money angle!
Agree with the comment liking judges to bankers this is exactly just like bankers demanding more bonuses for ripping us off and guess what their chums in the legal world want more too.
When did Lord Gill say judges cannot speak out?Seems to me the judges are doing plenty of speaking out in the survey so they can damn well declare what they have along with all the tax fiddles etc
Anonymous said...
Another pr disaster for the daft judges dont they get it already we all realise the rich run the world and these guys help them do exactly what they want and get to do as they want in return.
13 February 2015 at 03:04
Completely agree with you!
The rich are able to dodge their taxes because the legal system allows them to do it and who is at the head of this system?
That's right the judges!
Another case of judges lobbying for their own ends - the part about being valued by government and the media - well clearly a statement of intent from the judiciary along the lines of threats if you dont value us more.
Good do see the judges putting their foot in it once more!
Perhaps judges whining about being unloved should ask themselves why this might be so - and it is certainly not because they have been unfairly represented, quite the opposite.
For years they have been treated with kid gloves, approached on bended knee, but now seek Parliament's appreciation for their efforts.
This rather gives the lie to their famous claim to be independent of parliament, and above such petty, plebeian ministries.
The most revealing part of the report is perhaps the fact that the majority of judges intend to retire early if they don't get even more money.
Show them the door I say, lock it behind them, and be damn sure to impose a penalty on their pension entitlement too....they deserve that and more!
Hard knock life! Yes I can just see Lord Gill and those judges singing it from their ivory towers all covered in loot!
Only the quality of administrative support and facilities for interaction with other judges were rated by a majority of judges as either good or excellent. Morale of court staff was rated lowest, with 74% saying it was either poor (40%) or adequate (34%).
Oh well I am sure the Scottish Court Service employees will be pleased to hear this proclamation on their morale.Is this just about judges opinions or did the staff slip this one in to get a pay rise?
Either way Lord Gill is head of the courts as well as head of everything else so he need look no further than himself to understand why morale is so low - if it really is.
Judicial attitudes for 2014 seem to be aimed at subduing the rest of us plebs to meet the needs of a few.How about the judges start meeting the needs of the many and give up all their perks to do the job they are supposed to be doing instead of wafting around the planet like sultans on a spending spree.
btw the one about Gill and the £60m stained glass window hits the spot perfectly.How about spending it on dilapidated hospitals and schools instead of a jolly for the judges!
Almost all judges (84%) feel the judiciary needs control over changes affecting judges; 72% say some change is needed in the judiciary; and 60% believe too much change has been imposed on the judiciary in recent years.
What changes?They run themselves the same way they have been running themselves for centuries as we found out via your petition and Moi Ali's excellent testimony to msps!
Yes it is an interesting survey and one presented in such a way as to lobby for their own interests.I suppose this can be said of most surveys including the rigged Law Society survey you recently reported on however we are talking here about the supposed creme of the legal profession who claim they cannot speak out.Clearly they are and with the usual shades of intimidation if they do not get their way.
Jets and gucci bags kinda sums up judges as we now know them not the mythical creatures they want us to believe they are.
"An overwhelming majority (88%) of judges said one key factor would help to keep them in the judiciary until they reach retirement age: higher remuneration."
Judges with pound signs in their eyes.It must be terrible to have to get by on only £220,000 a year and all those pensions international travel and all that skulduggery they refuse to declare!
Nice one Peter!
Is Gill going to throw this at your petition as another excuse against the register?
About time we had the register and also an investigation into what the judges have been up to in the past.
I remember a case I once sat in on in the Court of Session where the judge flew into a furious rage someone criticised a certain High Street bank.Clearly he has some kind of interest said a person sitting next to me and I responded why does no one ask him about it this person who I later found out is a solicitor advocate said something along the lines of it is not the done thing!The temper tantrum we all witnessed should have been enough to sack the judge god knows how often he treats people like he did that day.The bank well we all know it is a crooked affair so the judge cannot be far behind!
Anonymous said...
I remember a case I once sat in on in the Court of Session where the judge flew into a furious rage someone criticised a certain High Street bank.Clearly he has some kind of interest said a person sitting next to me and I responded why does no one ask him about it this person who I later found out is a solicitor advocate said something along the lines of it is not the done thing!The temper tantrum we all witnessed should have been enough to sack the judge god knows how often he treats people like he did that day.The bank well we all know it is a crooked affair so the judge cannot be far behind!
19 February 2015 at 09:31
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I was privy to the corrupt goings on in a Scottish Courtroom where a 16 year old girl was appearing in court to give evidence in the case and the Sheriff's inhumane treatment of her left her inconsolable in tears when he berated her for coming into his court room without a lawyer and that her tears were her own fault for not hiring a lawyer to speak on behalf of her in his court!
Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely
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