DRCC submission to Judicial Planning Working Group (Nov 2021)

Following the Programme for Government commitment “to establish a working group to consider the number and type of judges required to ensure the efficient administration of justice over the next five years”, the Judicial Planning Working Group (‘the Working Group’) issued an open call to interested
parties for submission in relation to the following themes:

1. The number and type of judges required in Ireland in the next five years, and longer term to ensure the efficient administration of justice.
2. The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, demographic changes, and implications of Brexit in regard to court caseloads and the subsequent resource requirements.
3. The development of judicial skills.
4. The extent to which efficiencies in case management and working practices, as well as enhanced digital technology, could help in meeting additional service demands, improving services, and access to justice.

These submissions will be considered by the Working Group in compiling their report and making recommendations to the Minister for Justice.
In accordance with the terms of reference provided by the Judicial Planning Working Group, Dublin Rape Crisis Centre made a submission that encompassed the the following:

• the number and type of judges required in Ireland in the next five years, and longer term to ensure the efficient administration of justice;
• the development of judicial skills;
• the extent to which efficiencies in case management and working practices could help in meeting additional service demands, improving services, and access to justice.

You can read the submission in full here.