Press release
Minister Humphreys launches open consultation on Judicial Planning
Published on
Last updated on
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for Justice, Heather Humphreys TD, has today opened a public consultation to seek the views of the public in support of the work of the newly established Judicial Planning Working Group.
Chaired by former Secretary General of the Department of Education and Skills, Ms. Brigid McManus, the group is examining the wider judicial resource needs within all courts over the next five years in line with commitments made in Justice Plan 2021 and in the Programme for Government.
Launching the consultation today, Minister Humphreys said:
"Ensuring that the courts are adequately resourced to administer justice efficiently and effectively for citizens in their access to justice is a priority for Government.
"The recommendations of the Judicial Planning Working Group will play a key role in supporting the future delivery of this commitment and I look forward to receiving their report and recommendations next Spring.
"To support the Working Group in carrying out this vital task, I am actively encouraging submissions from the general public on how many and what type of judges are needed to ensure that our courts are adequately resourced to provide efficient administration of justice.
"I would also like to hear people’s views on work practices, efficiencies and productivities in the Courts Service and how we can have a judicial system which is modern and responsive, as well as adequately resourced.
"The government’s commitment to ensuring the courts are adequately resourced is illustrated by the recent increase in the number of High Court judges by five. This was one of the largest increases in living memory, bringing the total number of High Court judges to 42.
"I also want to hear about the impacts of COVID-19 and the path to recovery; and how we can make permanent many of the reforms brought about by the pandemic.
"In particular, I am determined that enhanced digital technology should be of lasting benefit to the judiciary, citizens and enterprise in working together to support access to justice for the future."
The OECD is currently engaging with stakeholders on research to provide independent evidence that will further complement and inform the Group’s work.
The consultation is open until Friday, 12 November 2021, and submissions can be made by email to judicialplanning@justice.ie
All submissions will be considered by the Working Group in preparing their report and making recommendations to the Minister.
The Working Group is now issuing on open call to interested parties for submissions in relation to the following themes:
These submissions will be considered by the Group in compiling their report and making recommendations to the Minister for Justice.
Submissions should be made electronically by email to judicialplanning@justice.ie
It is requested that all submissions are returned no later than close of business on Friday, 12 November 2021.
If you are or were involved in a court proceeding, it is important that you do not provide any information on what occurred at any court proceeding. This particularly relates to family cases in court as these usually occur in private (‘in-camera’) and those involved are not allowed to talk about them to anyone not involved in them.
The remit of the working group does not extend to matters relating to individual judges and as such no reference should be made to particular members of the judiciary within the submissions.
Submissions may be published in the future and will fall under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2014 upon conclusion of the Working Group’s considerations and publication of the report made to the Minister.