(372)  SUPREME COURT: CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM BILL

While the House of Lords in its legislative capacity decided on 13 July 2004 that the office of Lord Chancellor should not be abolished under the Constitutional Reform Bill, it did not reach issues about the proposed Supreme Court (see No 365 for latest thinking in this area).  The House did accept an amended clause on the need to protect judicial independence, extending it to Scotland, but adding a further sub-clause saying Subsection (1) does not impose any duty which it would be within the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament to impose.  So that’s clear then.