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Cabinet approval for 20 additional judges

Cabinet approval for 20 additional judges to be appointed on a phased basis has been secured.

The Judicial Planning Working Group (JPWG) report recommended the appointment of 44 additional judges in two phases.

A first phase of 24 additional judges was approved by Government and appointed throughout 2023, bringing the total number of additional appointments to 31.

Cabinet yesterday (22 October) approved the appointment of a second phase of 20 additional judges.

Faster access

Justice minister Helen McEntee said: “The appointment of additional judges is a key part of my plan to speed up our courts and deliver faster access to justice. An assessment has clearly shown the positive impact of the additional 30 judges appointed in the lifetime of this Government across all court jurisdictions.”

The extra judges had resulted in a significant increase in the number of court sittings, and the amount of cases resolved, as well as improved waiting times, she said.

The JPWG report highlighted that existing judicial numbers could not administer justice effectively and efficiently, given population growth, expanding and new areas of law, and increasing case complexity, the minister said.

The appointment of extra judges would allow for trials to be scheduled more quickly, while the roll-out of body-worn cameras and the introduction of facial-recognition technology would ensure digital evidence in criminal trials could be gathered much faster, she stated.

The Family Courts Bill 2022, the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Act 2022 and the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024 would also require additional judges, the minister said.

Stagger vacation

A project to stagger the court vacation ran in the High Court this summer, while the presidents of the Circuit and District Courts are working with the Courts Service to develop protocols for scheduling sittings on all five working days of the week (Monday - Friday).

Cases are being stacked in the same courtroom where feasible (one judge conducts a hearing in the morning and another judge conducts a hearing in the afternoon in the same courtroom).

Hybrid and remote hearings also maximise the use of courtroom space.