tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post3986209778952270787..comments2024-03-24T23:01:57.640+00:00Comments on The Justice Diaries: Judges should not be above scrutiny: Scottish Parliament MSPs to debate petition calling for a Register of Interests for Scotland’s judiciaryUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-85617347039735377572014-10-14T00:29:22.479+01:002014-10-14T00:29:22.479+01:00Given that Scotland has voted a resounding NO in t...Given that Scotland has voted a resounding NO in the Referendum and we are all one country for the next hundred years or so, is it not about time the oppressed Scots are given a choice of which Law to be under, or to exercise the right to choose to be under the England & Wales system?<br /><br />This would be a natural progressive decision and would end the get-rich-quick-culture for Scottish lawyers, Judges and Sheriffs over night and provide Justice for the Scottish People once again?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-79591728497571409332014-10-13T20:54:38.176+01:002014-10-13T20:54:38.176+01:00Well that was a swingeing attack on Gill's Civ...Well that was a swingeing attack on Gill's Civil Courts Review wasn't it.<br /><br />And of course you are correct again Peter.Pity some do not have your insight into what really goes on in the courts but then again anyone who wants the truth comes here.<br /><br />I agree with your comment on people putting their own legal matters in order instead of relying on solicitors.<br /><br />If people stopped feeding the beast with money the beast will shrink to a more manageable size.<br /><br />And what you say on arbitration well I am not surprised to learn this.Gill and particularly MacAskill's promotion of arbitration always had a ring of scam to it but now we know this is true.<br /><br />Keep up the good work mate! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-18139145771680052072014-10-13T12:11:20.220+01:002014-10-13T12:11:20.220+01:00@ 13 October 2014 08:12
You have more chance of w...@ 13 October 2014 08:12<br /><br />You have more chance of winning the lotto than there being change at the Law Society of Scotland or the way it and the judiciary influences any and all proposals to reform the legal system.<br /><br />For example look at Lord Gill's much heralded Civil Courts Review ...<br /><br />Change has not come for the better, justice is not faster, cheaper or more accessible and the courts can hardly cope.<br /><br />The Civil Courts Review and the review of the review has become little more than a change of business plan for the legal profession and nothing to do with giving Scots wider and easier access to justice.<br /><br />Of course, if people stop wasting their money going to see solicitors and start taking charge of their own legal affairs everyone will save on their earnings & assets. It is easy, not rocket science .. and about time people sat down and put their affairs in order, from house purchases to wills and everything else.<br /><br />Caution should also be exercised in using arbitration in Scotland simply because most arbitration now has links back to law firms who have a vested interest in prolonging cases to the point they end up back in court ...Diary of Injusticehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00697476580161690118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-71080400951552341442014-10-13T08:12:57.936+01:002014-10-13T08:12:57.936+01:00Is Kenny MacAskill's decision to make Moi Ali&...Is Kenny MacAskill's decision to make Moi Ali's job untenable, by failing to give her the necessary powers to be able to do her job to ensure that corruption over the non investigation of complaints and the status quo whitewashing of complaints against Scottish Judges and Sheriffs?<br /><br />Is this not tantamount to ensuring that lessons are not learned and that bad behaviour is prevented from being rooted out and where retraining opportunities are avoided, thereby further eroding the Standards within the Scottish Judiciary?<br /><br />Is this an impeachable offence, as it is clearly in direct opposition to the rights and interests of the People of Scotland and is nothing other than pandering to Scottish lawyers vested interest and a further confirmation that in Scotland a false perception must be maintained that a Scottish lawyer is above the law, untouchable and incapable of doing any wrong?<br /><br />Maybe when Nicola Sturgeon takes over as the great leader, she ends the Law Society of Scotland's mandatory self-selection of their choice of Justice Secretary and instead she appoints someone who is or has never been a Scottish lawyer and who does not arrive at their portfolio blinded by bias and selfish outlook?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-4900992723363967952014-10-12T20:48:00.751+01:002014-10-12T20:48:00.751+01:00"I understand the threat that may attach to t..."I understand the threat that may attach to that in terms of the pressure that judges could face in the future and I wonder if there is a way, once we give some thought to it, that we could create a register which would not be used by those who would be vexatious to attack or to pursue the judiciary, but at the same time give us confidence that our courts for the future operate to the best outcome."<br /><br /><br />Could someone please help me to understand this and Lord Gill's stated concern about vexatious attacks by the Scottish Public and by Journalists?<br /><br />If the Scottish Judges and Sheriffs had characters above reproach and were upholding the standard required of their Office; how would it be possible for the Public or Journalists to attack them?<br /><br />It seems to me that they are using the excuse of not declaring their interests because if they were forced to do so, then they would be at risk of attacks by the Scottish Public and Journalists?<br /><br />This seems to be the same crooked logic espoused by the Law Society of Scotland where they claim that no Scottish lawyers are allowed to be sent to jail because if they were they would bump into the criminals they played a part in putting there?<br /><br />Put simply, the first day that an honest, transparent Register of Scottish Judges and Sheriff's went live, would be the day the Scottish Justice System stopped, as the Scottish Public would see that there have been few or zero real Judges left?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-19609934048561750412014-10-12T16:38:54.585+01:002014-10-12T16:38:54.585+01:00The full report on the debate along with video foo...The full report on the debate along with video footage will feature on Diary of Injustice this coming week ...Diary of Injusticehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00697476580161690118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-30853682506790845902014-10-12T13:05:21.726+01:002014-10-12T13:05:21.726+01:002nd part
http://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/scotlan...2nd part<br /><br />http://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/scotland/judges-interests-register-debate-1.620543<br /><br /><br />Ms Cunningham said: "The Scottish Government considers that it is not necessary to establish a Register of Judicial Interests.<br /><br />"It is our view that the safeguards currently in place are sufficient to ensure the impartiality of the judiciary in Scotland."<br /><br />She cited the findings of the Council of Europe Group of States Against Corruption report on the UK which found "nothing emerged during the current evaluation which could indicate that there is any corruption in relation to judges, nor is there evidence of judicial decisions being influenced in an inappropriate manner".<br /><br />Mr Pearson said: "My own approach to these things, and it always has been, is that sometimes even though you lose an element of your own privacy it is better to be upfront in these matters and record these things in a register.<br /><br />"I understand the threat that may attach to that in terms of the pressure that judges could face in the future and I wonder if there is a way, once we give some thought to it, that we could create a register which would not be used by those who would be vexatious to attack or to pursue the judiciary, but at the same time give us confidence that our courts for the future operate to the best outcome."<br /><br />Mr Carlaw said: "Amongst my parliamentary colleagues, I should say that, without naming anyone, I have been told quite clearly that 'We don't want any of that'.<br /><br />"But let me say, I think the minister identified quite ably why in fact we should have confidence in the current process, and why I am not persuaded that we do actually need a register of interests."<br /><br />But he added: "I have to say the response of the Lord President was essentially to say 'Get your tanks off my lawn'.<br /><br />"In briefing I have heard from the Law Society of Scotland that they don't think the Petitions Committee of the parliament is a grand enough committee for the Lord President to have to command his attention.<br /><br />"I did myself say that it gave the impression that the Lord President was part of an Edwardian establishment disdain of the right of the hoi polloi, as he sees it, to have any understanding of these matters, and that there was a swish of judicial ermine and velvet that should cow into deference the public and the legislator in relation to our right to understand the issues."<br /><br />He added: "The appropriate way to have done it would have been for the Lord President to come and in a responsible environment place his case on the record, allow us to have tested it and then quite in all likelihood have agreed with the principle that he had articulated and thereby have advocated why we thought that was the right approach.<br /><br />"We weren't able to do that and that's why we are having the debate today."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-72033057654520116512014-10-12T13:04:27.466+01:002014-10-12T13:04:27.466+01:00found this sounds like you had a good debate have ...found this sounds like you had a good debate have to post this on 2 comments as google wont let me put it in one<br /><br />http://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/scotland/judges-interests-register-debate-1.620543<br /><br />Judges' interests register debate<br />By Press Association, 9 October 2014 9.01pm. Updated: 10 October 2014 12:24am.<br /><br />Legal Affairs Minister Roseanna Cunningham insisted "the safeguards currently in place are sufficient to ensure the impartiality of the judiciary"PA<br /><br />MSPs have urged the Scottish Government to give further consideration to a register of interests for judges - despite ministers indicating there are sufficient safeguards to ensure the impartiality of the judiciary.<br /><br />Media investigations into members of the judiciary "revealed a number of criminal charges and convictions", SNP MSP David Stewart told Holyrood on behalf of the Public Petitions Committee.<br /><br />His call for further consideration of a petition by Peter Cherbi calling for a register of interests was unanimously backed by MSPs.<br /><br />But Legal Affairs Minister Roseanna Cunningham insisted "the safeguards currently in place are sufficient to ensure the impartiality of the judiciary".<br /><br />Labour MSP Graeme Pearson said the petition has raised "issues of concern" and suggested the creation of "a register which would not be used by those who would be vexatious to attack or to pursue the judiciary, but at the same time give us confidence that our courts for the future operate to the best outcome".<br /><br />Conservative deputy leader Jackson Carlaw said he was not persuaded that a register is necessary , but criticised Lord President Brian Gill's refusal to appear before the committee to make his case.<br /><br />Lord Gill's response gave the impression that he was "part of an Edwardian establishment disdain of the right of the hoi polloi, as he sees it, to have any understanding of these matters, and that there was a swish of judicial ermine and velvet that should cow into deference the public and the legislator in relation to our right to understand the issues", Mr Carlaw said.<br /><br />Mr Stewart said Mr Cherbi's petition was inspired by a bill in New Zealand following the resignation of a former Supreme Court judge who was accused of misconduct for "allegedly failing to disclose a large debt he apparently owed to a lawyer appearing in a case before him".<br /><br />"The judiciary there (in New Zealand) was not overly enamoured at the suggestion of a register of interests," Mr Stewart said.<br /><br />"I think that is a fair assessment of the position here to say that is probably true as well as far as the judiciary are concerned."<br /><br />The committee was disappointed at Lord Gill's refusal to meet with them in public, he said.<br /><br />Mr Stewart added: "The petitioner has said that the catalyst for his petition was investigations by the Scottish media into members of the judiciary here.<br /><br />"The petitioner told the committee that the media investigations had revealed a number of criminal charges and convictions.<br /><br />"The petitioner points out that there is a greater public expectation now in terms of transparency and accountability across all branches of public life. And that the judiciary has a duty to be accountable to the wider community and should be expected to adhere to the same standards as those which apply to others in public life, such as MSPs, ministers, and MPs."<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-39414453707618785882014-10-12T12:14:11.881+01:002014-10-12T12:14:11.881+01:00Anonymous said...
I thought it was quite telling w... Anonymous said...<br />I thought it was quite telling when Roseanna Cunningham made comment about Lord Gill seeing all those who made a comment in the Parliamentary debate?<br /><br />I thought this was a vaguely concealed threat that he would be taking action against those who were not doing as he wanted?<br /><br />This shows who really has the power in Scotland?<br /><br />10 October 2014 21:08<br /><br />================================<br /><br />Yes & its not the judges anymore.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-21428251412066521412014-10-11T22:25:16.992+01:002014-10-11T22:25:16.992+01:00Should Lord Gill not have volunteered to bring in ...Should Lord Gill not have volunteered to bring in a Register of Scottish Judges Interests instead of leaving it to a Public Spirited Citizen to make sure that the Rule of Law is abided by?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-12016806123935863372014-10-10T21:08:21.982+01:002014-10-10T21:08:21.982+01:00I thought it was quite telling when Roseanna Cunni...I thought it was quite telling when Roseanna Cunningham made comment about Lord Gill seeing all those who made a comment in the Parliamentary debate?<br /><br />I thought this was a vaguely concealed threat that he would be taking action against those who were not doing as he wanted?<br /><br />This shows who really has the power in Scotland?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-86521375645747814302014-10-10T19:26:08.799+01:002014-10-10T19:26:08.799+01:00Yes got it in one!Yes got it in one!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-53738344774346408322014-10-10T14:12:25.596+01:002014-10-10T14:12:25.596+01:00Saw the debate very good Gill will be going nuts a...Saw the debate very good Gill will be going nuts about the mentions looking forward to your update!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-19355053738914707802014-10-10T10:03:28.636+01:002014-10-10T10:03:28.636+01:00If judges have nothing to fear regarding any poten...If judges have nothing to fear regarding any potential for a conflict of interest arising then they have nothing to hide.<br /><br />Clearly Lord Gill's deeds speak louder than his words.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-31183157460311639022014-10-09T16:28:06.349+01:002014-10-09T16:28:06.349+01:00With the Petitions Committee Convenor disclosing t...With the Petitions Committee Convenor disclosing that there has been a dozen 'Official Recorded' Recusals in the last 6 months, when the spot-light has been on them.<br /><br />Makes you wonder how many Recusals there has been in the past when the spot-light of transparency was not shining on them?<br /><br />Surely, a question must be asked of Scotland's Judges and Neil Findlay Sheriffs as to WHAT are they getting themselves involved in that causes them to clash with their abili to do their jobs?<br /><br />It seems to me, that Mr Cherbi has touched a nerve on a hitherto secret scandal involving Scotland's Judiciary, where they have been involving themselves in self-interest motivated self-enrichment, which has got in the way of their ability to carry out their jobs and has endangered, no broken the unbreakable law of the Judiciary in a democracy, that is impartiality, fairness and trust?<br /><br />Very worrying for Justice in Scotland, which has become a dirty word due to the Judiciary and the Law Society of Scotland, where they believe that The Rule of Law does not apply to Scottish lawyers?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-42555366132430170872014-10-09T14:05:00.991+01:002014-10-09T14:05:00.991+01:00No Scottish Judge or Sheriff can be considered imp...No Scottish Judge or Sheriff can be considered impartial or transparent if they have failed to fully disclose their interests to the Scottish People?<br /><br />Failure to disclose is a reckless attack on the Scottish People and is an undermining of the Scottish Justice System?<br /><br />Any Scottish Judge or Sheriff who has outside interests likely to cause a Conflict of Interest in their ability to judge impartially should be sacked on the spot?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-73141971216575632252014-10-09T13:48:00.186+01:002014-10-09T13:48:00.186+01:00Gill's crowd will have been doing plenty lobby...Gill's crowd will have been doing plenty lobbying behind the scenes to water this down as much as possible.Just look at this private meeting the papers wrote about a few months back,shocking having a meeting behind closed doors with a couple of politicians when the petition is about transparency of judges.Proves beyond reasonable doubt the judges have totally lost it and got too used to running the country for their own enrichment.<br /><br />Keep up the good work!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-40732848892050392002014-10-09T12:56:52.641+01:002014-10-09T12:56:52.641+01:00Why has Lord Gill not retired?
After all he is we...Why has Lord Gill not retired?<br /><br />After all he is well past the age of retiral being 72 years old.<br /><br />Maybe there is too much cash to be made by staying on?<br /><br />makes you think...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-76897434231472239152014-10-09T12:00:07.652+01:002014-10-09T12:00:07.652+01:00Good luck for today and great work you people for ...Good luck for today and great work you people for sticking with this blog about the legal systemAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-58327391612162553292014-10-09T11:34:35.371+01:002014-10-09T11:34:35.371+01:00Lord NONO rides again.Gill will never live this do...Lord NONO rides again.Gill will never live this down.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-25213130333075785712014-10-09T11:12:21.498+01:002014-10-09T11:12:21.498+01:00They may ask the question: If MSPs and Members of ...They may ask the question: If MSPs and Members of other Parliaments are required to reveal their interests, then why not Scotland’s judges?<br /><br />And just who is going to argue against a question where there it is obvious the answer must be judges have to reveal their interests like politiciansAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-1702201920021354572014-10-09T10:43:59.386+01:002014-10-09T10:43:59.386+01:00What will you do if the petition or a register for...What will you do if the petition or a register for the judges is not passed?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-43489304511197748782014-10-09T10:13:05.933+01:002014-10-09T10:13:05.933+01:00Why should judges be allowed to hide their links t...Why should judges be allowed to hide their links to whoever and all their riches?It is just plain wrong this is allowed to go on.Should be made to declare all of it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20722989.post-47618310773458500782014-10-09T09:43:07.644+01:002014-10-09T09:43:07.644+01:00Gill will be positioning his allies to shut down t...Gill will be positioning his allies to shut down the entire debateAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com