A Bill to require those responsible for the selection and interviewing of candidates for, and appointment to, the posts of Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, the President of the Queen's Bench Division of the High Court of England and Wales, the Keeper or Master of the Rolls and Records of the Chancery of England and the President of the Family Division of the High Court of England and Wales to disregard the age of applicants under 70 years of age; and for connected purposes.
House of Commons
28 April 2017
May contain errors — check source documents for definitive information.
This Bill would require the people who oversee and run the process of selecting England and Wales’ senior judges to ignore age for applicants under 70. In effect, age would not be a factor when considering candidates for posts like the Lord Chief Justice, President of the Queen’s Bench Division, Keeper/Master of the Rolls, and President of the Family Division. It does not change retirement ages or directly alter the duties of serving judges.
The Bill is currently at the 2nd reading stage in the House of Commons. If it progresses, it would move to Committee stage and further readings in both Houses.
Generated 21 February 2026
2 Mar 2017
This Bill was expected to have its second reading debate on Friday 12 May 2017.
However, as a General Election has now been called and Parliament will be dissolved from 3 May 2017, the Bill falls and no further action will be taken.
No recorded votes for this bill yet.
