Minister defends number of new judicial posts following criticism

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Justice Minister Heather Humphreys has defended government approval for five additional High Court judges, following strong criticism from the High Court president that it is not enough.

In a sharp rebuke, the President of the Courts, Madam Justice Mary Irvine, said she was somewhat speechless at the number of judges who have been approved to help deal with a backlog of cases.

In an interview with Parchment magazine, she said the High Court finds itself in a dire scenario because of shortages: to make a real difference, we need 17, she said.

The five additional judges are already on the tally, with two to be assigned to the crime, while Justice Irvine said there were people held for 18 months awaiting trial.

Another of the new Cabinet-appointed judges will be needed to work on the strategic infrastructure and business planning roster which needs three judges but currently has one.

Asylum list

Another will have to deal with the extradition list of states which she says is set to double due to a new agreement on European arrest warrants, and the fifth will deal with aid cases on the list. asylum.

These are the five new judges represented and that will only hold the tide at bay, she said, adding that some personal injury cases are being forced to settle for reasons unrelated to the facts of the case.

Some plaintiffs cannot afford to wait months for a case to be heard or a defendant can settle because costs add up while the case is not heard, she said.

These are factors that only come into play because we don’t have enough judges to meet the demand. It is not access to justice.

I do not understand how the government does not seem to appreciate how important early access to justice is for Irish citizens and for Irish businesses, she added.

She also told the summer edition of the Dublin Solicitors Bar Association magazine that: I sometimes think that the fact that we can always provide a judge for a very urgent case doesn’t help our case [for more judges].

But the problem is, in order to make room for this urgent case, we have to cancel someone else’s case. I often have the impression that it is the little person who pays the price for the lack of judicial resources.

Speaking to Drogheda, Ms Humphreys was asked about Judge Irvines’ criticisms, saying the five nominations represented a huge increase.

She stressed that the government is committed to ensuring that the courts have sufficient resources to allow for the effective administration of justice.

Ms Humphreys said: That’s why we only passed a law this month. . . increase the number of High Court judges from five to six.

She said: This is one of the biggest increases in judges in recent memory.

The minister added that each new appointment costs around 370,000 per year for salary, allowances and support staff.

She said increasing the number of High Court judges from 37 to 42 is a very significant investment and a huge increase in the number with the possibility of adding another.

Ms Humphreys said the Judicial Planning Working Group was looking at a range of issues, including the number of High Court judges and other judges, as well as the work practices and productivity of the courts department, and that ‘he is expected to submit his report next spring.

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