The Department of Justice in Ireland confirms plans to introduce new legislation, which will pave the way for an increase in the number of judges within Irish courts, a figure that currently has a maximum limit. This initiative comes on the heels of the Cabinet green-lighting the selection of an additional 20 magistrates this week, in addition to the 31 already instated under the present Government.
Justice Minister Helen McEntee, alongside the Attorney General, has committed to devising the legal changes necessary to surge the tally of judges, a process which will transpire in graduated stages. Of the 20 new appointments, six are set for each of the District Court, Circuit Court, and High Court, while two will be added to the Court of Appeal bench. This hike will join the Supreme Court judges, escalating the overall total to 218.
The legislation is in response to the final report by the Judicial Planning Working Group (JPWG), released in February 2023, which endorsed the appointment of 44 extra judges across two phases. The JPWG was formed in 2021 with the objective of attaining a ‘strategic approach’ to judicature recruitment.
The initial phase saw the appointment of 24 supplemental judges in 2023, making for a sum total of 31 additional appointments under the existing government. Successes noted from this first phase encompasses an appreciable decline in the backlog of unscheduled criminal summonses in the District Court, an increase in Circuit Court sittings by 17 per cent, and a reduction in waiting times for judicial review hearings in the High Court from 13 to three weeks.
Ms McEntee, speaking on the impending increase in judges, suggested that the likely implementation of body-worn cameras could trigger an increase in early guilty pleas as criminals are confronted with video proof of their actions.
According to the Department, there will be consistent emphasis on supplementary training days for judges, keeping them updated with the necessities of victims and preparing them to handle cases that are becoming increasingly complex.