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Judicial-appointments body to start selection

A new system of judicial selection comes into effect this week, as the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) begins its public work.

Its new website (www.judicialappointments.ie) will go live later this week, and will include information about the new selection process, current vacancies, and how online applications can be made.

It is anticipated that the commission will start its first selection process for judicial vacancies “in the coming days and weeks”. Both the application process and reference process will be fully digitised.

‘Important development’ 

Chief Justice Donal O’Donnell described the commission’s establishment as “an important development in the history of the Irish judiciary”, adding that it introduced significant changes to the judicial-appointments system in Ireland.

“The new commission will deliver on a programme of selection for judicial vacancies, based on an unambiguous legislative requirement that judicial appointments continue to be based on merit,” he stated.

The JAC was established on 1 January 2025, replacing the now-dissolved Judicial Appointments Advisory Board.

Equality objective 

The new body was set up under the Judicial Appointments Commission Act 2023 to select and recommend people for all judicial offices in Ireland, and in the EU and international courts. The act provides that recommendations of persons for judicial office shall be based on merit.

It also makes provision, in relation to the courts in the State, for the objectives of appointing equal numbers of men and women, reflecting the diversity of the population of the State and proficiency in the Irish language.

Recommendations 

Under the system, three people will be recommended for a vacancy, while an additional two recommendations will be made for a second and additional vacancies. This would mean seven recommendations for three vacancies.

Only individuals recommended by the JAC will be recommended by the Government for appointment by the President.

All judicial posts, whether a first appointment or by promotion, will be governed by the procedure.

Any person – whether new applicants or serving judges seeking promotion to higher courts –  recommended to the Government for appointment must have been interviewed by the commission.

“The empowering of an independent commission to recommend fewer persons for judicial appointment than the previous system will bring Ireland closer into line with international requirements, and will be an important safeguard for judicial independence,” the Chief Justice said.