Bar and Law Society heads ‘should be considered’ for inclusion in judicial appointments body
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James Lawless
The heads of the Bar and the Law Society should be considered for inclusion in the membership of the proposed new Judicial Appointments Commission, the Oireachtas justice committee has recommended.
The joint committee on justice has completed pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme of the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2020 and published a 144-page report with recommendations.
Committee cathaoirleach James Lawless said: “The committee has identified several areas of interest within the general scheme which it considers need attention, and these are explained in detail in the body of the report alongside 10 recommendations the committee has made on these areas.
“Among the heads identified by the witnesses for further examination include the proposed membership of the Judicial Appointments Commission, the need for the number of candidates sent to the minister to be reduced and ranked in order of preference and the need to ensure greater diversity of the judiciary, including the opportunity for legal academics to apply.”
He added: “A copy of this report and recommendations will be sent to the minister for justice and the committee has made these recommendations in the hope that they will assist in improving this important piece of legislation.
“I would also like to express my gratitude on behalf of the committee to all the witnesses who attended our public hearing to give evidence.”
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