Scottish Jewish judge cleared of bias charges

The first female Supreme Court judge in Scotland was cleared of charges that her Jewish background influenced her decision to deny asylum to a Palestinian refugee. Last week, three appeal judges dismissed claims that Hazel Cosgrove had not shown impartiality in the case because of her membership in the International Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists. The judges ruled that there was no evidence that Lady Cosgrove had been “unconsciously or unwittingly influenced” in making her decision. “We see no reason to suppose any intelligent and independently minded judge of the Court of Session, having taking the judicial oath and being well able to form her own views, would be influenced in this way,” the senior judge said in ruling on the appeal.