Concerns on proposed new process of appointing Judges

Jun 30, 2022

30th June, 2022

Following publication of the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2020 in May, President of our Law Society Michelle Ní Longáin said, “We welcome the intention to reform the judicial appointments process for the public benefit.”

Diversity among the judiciary is an important aspect of the proposed reforms. The interests of society will be best served by a judiciary that is rich in a variety of life experiences and backgrounds. We need a more diverse pool of candidates for judicial appointment; candidates that are reflective of our society.

Ireland is a flourishing multi-cultural country. This must be represented at every level of the legal profession, including the senior ranks. As such, we believe that this legislation should set broad eligibility criteria which allow for the widest possible pool of candidates to be considered.

According to the President, “The Law Society has undertaken extensive work to ensure that the pathway to solicitor education is increasingly accessible. This is a necessary component in enhancing diversity, in all its forms, across the profession and we are committed to continuing to develop a profession that is reflective of modern Ireland.

Looking to our nearest neighbours, and the Judicial Appointments Commission in the UK which includes two professional members, we are concerned that the proposal in the Bill to remove representatives of the legal professions from the Commission table will have an extraordinarily negative impact, and it will be society that suffers the long-term consequences.”

Solicitors operate at every level of seniority within the courts structure, dealing with every conceivable matter before the law. They have first-hand experience of the impact of the courts on users of the courts system as a result of their close interactions with the public. So, why leave them out ?

More fromLegal News

Commissioner for Oaths Kilkenny

Wards of Court system abolished in 2023

27th March, 2024 The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, and Minister of State for Disability, Anne Rabbitte, announced that 26 April, 2023 as...

Mar 27, 2024
Solicitors Kilkenny Main banner

Landlords Beware when evicting Tenants

1st February, 2023 The Court of Appeal in England and Wales recently considered the validity of a notice to quit and decided that a notice addressed to the wrong recipient was invalid. Background...

Feb 1, 2023