Democracy and judicial Independence

Abstract

One of the pillars of British liberal democracy is the independence of the judiciary; but the problem is how to reconcile judicial independence with efficiency in the administration of justice and with public accountability. The former question, though of immense importance, has received ameliorative attention only in the last few years. The latter question has been resolved largely through the consistent, apolitical appointment of persons of high ability to the Bench. One useful mechanism to promote the continued smooth functioning of the judicial system in the U.K. might be the establishment of a Department of State concerned entirely with the administration of justice and judiciary.