Mr Justice Peter Kelly to chair review of civil justice

The President of the High Court, Mr Justice Peter Kelly, will chair a new group to review and reform the administration of civil justice in Ireland.

The group will report back to Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald in two years.

Announcing the creation of the group, she said: “I am pleased that the President of the High Court Mr Justice Peter Kelly has offered to chair the Group and I am happy to confirm that my Department, having lead overall responsibility for courts policy matters and for courts legislation, will play an active part in the review.”

The group will make recommendations for changes with a view to improving access to civil justice, promoting early resolution of disputes, reducing the cost of litigation, creating a more responsive and proportionate system and ensuring better outcomes for court users.

The proposed review has been endorsed by the Chief Justice, who agrees that such an exercise would be very worthwhile.

Ms Fitzgerald said: “The aim of the Review is to deliver a more efficient and effective Irish legal system in regard to the area of civil justice.”

Welcoming the announcement, Eilis Barry, chief executive of legal rights group FLAC, said: “FLAC has campaigned since its establishment for equal access to justice for all. In the words of Chief Justice Denham, ‘rights are meaningless without access’. We are therefore delighted to see ‘improving access to justice’ as the first aim on the review group’s agenda.

“We look forward to sharing our expertise and practical experience in identifying barriers for people seeking access to justice in Ireland, particularly barriers facing low-income, marginalised, vulnerable and minority groups.”