Judges in the UK are independent of the government. They are appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Judicial Appointments Commission (an independent body) and can only be removed for serious misconduct. The Lord Chief Justice is the head of the judiciary in England and Wales; the President of the Supreme Court leads the highest UK court.
Further reading: an editorial guide on this topic opens in a new window for additional context.
Judges interpret the law, decide cases on the basis of evidence, set sentences in criminal cases and award damages in civil cases. They cannot make new law in the way Parliament can, but their decisions on what the law means become binding "case law" or "common law". The independence of the judiciary is one of the cornerstones of the rule of law.
You may be asked who heads the judiciary in England and Wales (the Lord Chief Justice), or whether judges can be dismissed by ministers (they cannot, except for serious misconduct).
Test yourself on this topic
These questions from the official-format question bank cover the same material. Tap any question to see the correct answer and a short explanation.
Keep going
- Read the full study notes for Government & Law.
- Try a practice test on this chapter.
- Sit a full 24-question timed mock.
- Browse the complete library of topic explainers.
Related topic explainers
Pressure Groups and Lobbying
How charities, trade unions and campaign groups try to influence government policy.
First-Past-the-Post
The voting system used in UK general elections — and how it differs from proportional alternatives.
Voting by Post and by Proxy
How to vote in a UK election if you cannot attend the polling station in person.
What UK Taxes Pay For
Schools, the NHS, defence, pensions and roads — the public services funded by tax.