Search for top judge is 'a done deal'

Fears are growing over lack of competition for the post of Lord Chief Justice, with critics saying the selection process should be fair and robust The selection process to find a successor to the most senior judge in England and Wales has been attacked by leading members of the judiciary for being a 'one-horse race' - leading to concerns that the profession is operating like an old boys' network. The current Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, Lord Phillips, will be replaced in October, but there appears to be widespread agreement among many senior judges that there will be only one candidate put forward to succeed him - Sir Igor Judge, the former deputy Lord Chief Justice and current Head of Criminal Justice in England and Wales. An email leaked to The Observer, sent to all senior judges by Lord Justice May, who is... [read full story]