Report of the City Solicitor to the meeting of Council to be held on Tuesday 8 December 2020

A

Subject:

Appointment of the Honorary Recorder

Summary Statement:

Council is asked to approve the appointment of the Honorary Recorder.

Parveen Akhtar City Solicitor Phone: 01274 432496 Email:parveen.akhtar@bradford.gov.uk

SUMMARY

1.1	Richard Mansell, QC was appointed as Resident Judge at Bradford Combined Court Centre with effect from 17 August 2020 following the retirement of His Honour Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC. Notification of his appointment was included in the Lord Mayor’s Announcements to the Extraordinary Meeting of Council on 8 September. This is the first full Council meeting since his appointment as Resident Judge in Bradford to enable the Council to approve his appointment as Honorary Recorder.

1.2	The purpose of this report is to formally invite the Council to approve the appointment of His Honour Judge Richard Mansell QC as Honorary Recorder of Bradford following the retirement of His Honour Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC.

2.	BACKGROUND

2.1	The Courts Act 1971 empowers the Council to appoint an Honorary Recorder for Bradford.

2.3	It has been the practice in Bradford to offer the position of Honorary Recorder to the
Resident Judge at Bradford Combined Court Centre.

2.4	The Lord Chief Justice appointed His Honour Judge Mansell QC as the Senior
Judge (Resident Judge) at Bradford Combined Court Centre with effect from 17 August 2020.

2.5	His Honour Judge Mansell QC replaces His Honour Judge Durham Hall QC, who retired as Honorary Recorder of Bradford in July 2020.

3.	OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

3.1	An Honorary Recorder is an unpaid, ceremonial office created to maintain and develop close links between councils and the judiciary, and to encourage an understanding of the judicial system among the community. The functions of Honorary Recorder include attending ceremonial and civic functions, and inviting Members of the Council to attend judicial events. The Lord Chief Justice is keen for councils to use the power available to them to make such an appointment.

4.	FINANCIAL AND RESOURCE APPRAISAL

There are no financial or resource implications for the decision sought.

5.	RISK MANAGEMENT AND GOVERNANCE ISSUES

There are no risk management or governance issues for the decision sought.

6.	LEGAL APPRAISAL

The Council has power to appoint a person to the position of Honorary Recorder under the provision of the Courts Act 1971.

7.	OTHER IMPLICATIONS

None

.

8.	RECOMMENDATIONS

8.1	To formally approve the appointment of His Honour Judge Richard Mansell QC as Honorary Recorder of Bradford during his tenure as Resident Judge at Bradford Combined Court Centre, in accordance with the Courts Act 1971.

8.2	To request that the City Solicitor, in consultation with the Lord Mayor make appropriate arrangements to mark his appointment when circumstances permit.

9.	APPENDICES AND BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS

None