Courts Act 1971

4 (1) If and so long as any holder of the office of Vice-Chancellor of the County Palatine of Lancaster is also a Circuit judge (whether by virtue of paragraph 1 above or otherwise), he shall take judicial precedence next after the judges of the High Court.

(2) Notwithstanding the repeal by this Act of section 14(1) of the [1928 c. 26.] Administration of Justice Act 1928, paragraph (d) of that subsection (terms of appointment of Vice-Chancellor of the County Palatine of Lancaster) snail continue to apply in relation to the person who is the holder of that office on the appointed day (but not in relation to any subsequent holder of that office) and shall on and after that day apply in relation to him not only in his capacity as Vice-Chancellor but also in his capacity as a Circuit judge ; and accordingly, and without, prejudice to paragraph 3(2) above, section 17(4) of this Act shall not apply in relation to that person.

(3) Without prejudice to paragraph 8 below, the Lord Chancellor, with the consent of the Minister for the Civil Service, may make such arrangements as seem to him to be appropriate to secure that the superannuation benefits payable to or in respect of the person who, on the appointed day, holds office as Vice-Chancellor of the County Palatine of Lancaster are not less favourable than those which he enjoyed immediately before the appointed day; and any such arrangements may provide for the cost of those benefits to be defrayed in part by the Duchy of Lancaster.

(4) Rules under section 39A of the [1965 c. 74.] Superannuation Act 1965 (provision for superannuation benefits payable to or in respect of persons employed in two or more judicial offices of specified descriptions) may make provision with respect to the superannuation benefits payable to or in respect of any person who, immediately before the appointed day, held office as registrar or assistant registrar of the Lancaster Palatine Court, as if his office were included in those specified in paragraphs (a) to (i) of subsection (3) of that section.