The Centre for Research into Law Reform at the University of Glasgow has published its response to the Scottish Executive Justice Department Consultation Paper on Judicial Appointments.

Among the key points in the Centre's response are:

* There is no evidence that the existing system has resulted in bad appointments but it does suffer from a lack of transparency and is not understood by members of the general public.

* The appointment of a judge by a minister in the executive (the Lord Advocate) will always be open to criticism on the grounds that there is room for political bias.

* The situation whereby the Lord Advocate can appointment himself to be a judge is not seen as appropiate by members of the public

* The Centre are broadly in favour of a judicial appointments board but are opposed to the vetting of potential appointees by a political committee.

Media Relations Office (media@gla.ac.uk)

For further information contact: Professor Robert Rennie, 0141 330 4553 or the University Press Office, 0141 330 3535 The full report will be faxed or emailed by the Press Office on request.

First published: 19 January 2001