The overall number of judges in the State will increase from 173 to 217 by the end of 2024 under government plans to implement the recommendations of the judicial planning working group, whose report has been published today and widely welcomed by practitioners.

The government said the increase in judges will facilitate greater access to justice, support the establishment of a Planning and Environmental Court and dedicated Family Courts and help to clear Covid backlogs.

The judicial appointments will be accompanied by various reforms aimed at improving the efficiency of the justice system.

The government said it is considering the other recommendations of the report, which include the District and Circuit Courts sitting five days a week, a restructuring of the District Court, a review of the Circuit Court geographical areas and additional powers for court presidents to manage their court jurisdictions.

Speaking at the Chief Justice’s access to justice conference in Dublin Castle today, justice minister Simon Harris said: “Having an efficient courts system that provides timely access to justice is of central importance to society.

“The courts exist to protect our rights and uphold the rule of law, and at some point we are all likely to have reason to interact with the courts system. When we do, it is important that we experience an efficient, fair and timely service that is equally accessible to all.

“It is a priority for me, as minister for justice, to ensure that the courts are resourced to administer justice efficiently and effectively — this is central to providing access to justice.”

Maura Derivan, the president of the Law Society, said the additional resources “will be nothing short of transformative for the justice system in the public interest”.

She continued: “The Law Society has previously identified a dedicated family courts system as a priority reform in the Family Courts Bill. The interests of families and children must be at the centre of the new family justice system from the outset.

“We further welcome proposed reforms to improve work practices, data collection, and case management, reflecting the evolving needs of both modern Ireland and the administration of justice. Modern and efficient courts are vital to providing access to justice.

“Delayed court sittings cause real-life consequences, at a time when many are in vulnerable situations. These backlogs delay justice for citizens and justice delayed is justice denied.

“The Law Society is encouraged by Mr Harris’s leadership on this important issue. We look forward to continuing to work alongside the Department of Justice and other stakeholders to build a fit for purpose justice system that ensures access to justice for all.”

Fieldfisher partner Zoe Richardson

Zoe Richardson, a planning and environmental partner in Fieldfisher’s Dublin office, said the working group report “will be very much welcomed by legal practitioners and other stakeholders”.

“The recommendation to significantly increase the number of judges and modernise the management of cases across all courts is welcome, and answers a clear call from the judiciary for a bolstering of resources,” she said.

“Additional resources are clearly required to facilitate the implementation of the provisions of the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act 2015 and the establishment of a specialist Planning and Environmental Court which has been identified as a key priority, in addition to addressing the backlog of cases caused by the Covid pandemic.

“Practitioners and the public must be able to rely on a timely and efficient process of access to justice.

“The recommendations are proposed over a five-year period, and some will require legislative amendment, so the impact may not be immediate, but media reports indicate that the minister for justice has committed to the appointment, urgently, of the 24 additional judges recommended.

“On the whole, the proposals represent a positive, constructive and considered step forward for a currently overloaded system that deals with increasingly complex litigation.”

Mr Harris said: “I want to thank all the members of the working group, especially the chair, former Secretary General of the Department of Education, Ms Brigid McManus, for their dedication and exceptional work.

“The courts will mark the centenary of the Courts of Justice Act in 2024 and it is appropriate that this will be marked by the most significant reform of the last century.

“An independent, impartial, and efficient judiciary and courts system is critical to our democracy and I am confident this injection of new judges and the important reforms recommended will, when implemented, help to improve the operation of one of the State’s most important institutions.

“My Department is committed to driving the modernisation and Digital First agenda across the entire justice sector. We will work with the Courts Service and the judiciary to deliver a number of important commitments in the Programme for Government which will help ensure that we have a strong, modern courts service facing into its second century.”