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Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Bill [HL]

I thank the Minister for her observations. Bearing in mind that whoever is selected under the provision will be called a judge, I suggest that it would be desirable to be a little more specific in the Bill than the general words that are there at the moment. She helpfully suggested certain possible categories, such as those who have had a career in the academic world, who might be appointable. Would she consider a guideline provision or some similar provision in the Bill which set out the categories which the noble and learned Lord might have in mind? I entirely agree with the observation of the noble Lord, Lord Maclennan of Rogart, when he said that he thought that the category was too open-ended. I very much share that view and I do not see that the Government would be excessively inconvenienced were they to try to put pen to paper and think about all possible permutations of background that might fall within the description. Otherwise, we will end up calling an extremely wide range of individuals as judges in a way that might be found rather confusing.