by Matthew Bransgrove | Sep 30, 2015 | The Judiciary
First-time judges should be chosen from amongst trial lawyers. Those doing the choosing should be guided by the opinions of senior members of the bar and bench. These opinions should be formally sought but confidentially given. Judges should generally be chosen from...
by Matthew Bransgrove | Sep 30, 2015 | The Judiciary
Members of the judiciary must maintain the dignity that befits their office. Litigants are comforted by having their fate decided by a somber technician of the law rather than by a buffoon. In particular, statutes should ensure that judges must not: Enter or leave...
by Matthew Bransgrove | Sep 30, 2015 | The Judiciary
Some judges have a comprehensive grasp of the law. They deal efficiently with trial after trial and deliver perfectly reasoned judgments founded on precedent. Then there are the sluggards, the ones who reserve judgments for months on end, sleep during trials, make...
by Matthew Bransgrove | Sep 30, 2015 | The Judiciary
Judges therefore should always be men of … exemplary morals, great patience, calmness and attention. —John Adams. Thoughts on Government, 1776. Litigants will only accept the judgments of the court if they are satisfied with the integrity of the judge who decides...
by Matthew Bransgrove | Sep 30, 2015 | The Judiciary
Judges’ … minds should not be distracted with jarring interests; they should not be dependant upon any man or body of men. —John Adams. Thoughts on Government, 1776. The judiciary must be independent of the executive and legislative branches; it must be non-political...
