ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the constitutional role of judges the importance of judicial independence, judicial accountability and explains the different categories of law. It describes the hierarchy of civil and criminal courts and addresses the judicial techniques of statutory interpretation and the doctrine of precedent. The judiciary is one of the three major institutions of the state, the others being the legislature and executive. Constitutionally, each of these institutions acts in the name of the Crown. Law is the formal mechanism by which disputes in society are settled. In the settlement of disputes, one of the principal functions of judges is applying the law as laid down in Acts of Parliament or by common law. Appointment to the Supreme Court is by the Crown on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is under a statutory duty to recommend only that person who has been nominated by the Lord Chancellor.
