Sir Declan Morgan

The new system has been introduced as of yesterday following discussions between the Lord Chief Justice, Sir Declan Morgan, and leading members of the legal profession.

Sir Declan’s office has now created the email inbox at OLCJComms@judiciaryni.uk for this purpose.

Where legal representatives wish to make a request for communication with a judge they should:

• Ensure they have communicated with counsel/solicitors on the other side and that the request is on behalf of all parties;
• All parties should be copied into the email;
• Provide the ICOS number, the name/s of the defendants/parties and the name of the judge.

The Office of the Lord Chief Justice will then forward the email to the judge and, if considered appropriate, facilitate a telephone conference call.

Court officials will generally not be involved in these calls unless directed by a judge. Where the communication leads to an outcome that should be recorded, the judge must advise the court official as appropriate to ensure the court record is maintained.