Deleted User wrote: » There have been some real puzzlers in recent years, and some terrible appointments. It should be de-politicised, but it's ridiculous having lay people appointing Judges, as ridiculous as say lay people deciding which Consultant should perform which operation. And bad Judges can have very serious consequences for all. We should want justice administered by those best able to do so, and no one knows the abilities of their colleagues as well as those in the Law Library.
nice_guy80 wrote: » https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/bill-would-have-serious-implications-for-irish-justice-judges-say-1.3133906 Great to see the judges coming out against this proposed new system for appointing them If they are against it, then I'm all for it.
Kristopherus wrote: » And who serves on juries????..............
jimmycrackcorm wrote: » There have been numerous instances of poor judgments so perhaps it's time that the old boys club be told that appointments have to be made by people who live in the real world.
Pat Mustard wrote: » Most members of the public don't tend to have regular contact with the judiciary so they only know about their own personal experiences. Because of their limited contact, they don't tend to have an accurate appreciation of the damage that can be done by even one awful judge. If people did, they wouldn't be applauding this decision that will have serious consequences for those members of the public that end up at the mercy of merciless or incompetent judges. Such judges are few but their impact is widespread. Bringing in a law where laymen will select judges makes no sense. They will have no way of knowing who is good, bad or dangerous. Some people are compete nutters who shouldn't be allowed in charge of a goldfish, not to mind a courtroom. Now we could make judges of such individuals. It is makes no sense to expect that laymen could choose judges competently. Giving them the power to choose judges is a serious error in judgement. Reminds me of a joke. When I die I want to go like grandad: peacefully, in my sleep. Not screaming like everyone else in his bus.
nice_guy80 wrote: » they'll independently assess the applicant judges' credentials and experience
nice_guy80 wrote: » laymen basically means non legal people, doesn't it? people from business? education? law research? they'll independently assess the applicant judges' credentials and experience doesn't mean they are going to be a bunch of lads on the dole sitting around deciding on the judges wait, judges might actually have to interview for their job!!! Imagine that!!! no more 'old boys legal eagles club'. "I know him from my Kings Hospital days, as did my dad knew his dad" etc
Deleted User wrote: » No more? Have you seen the slew of Judges appointed in recent years to the District and Circuit Courts based, not on some old boys club, but on political affiliations? He was involved in so and so's election campaign, he was the Solicitor for this TD or that? I wish there was an old boys club, instead of some of the shockers on the bench these days, every time I visit a a bar room now they seem to be talking about some latest gaffe in hushed tones. Of course they'll be appealed, clogging up the system even more, ironically resulting in higher fees for lawyers and more expense for litigants, because bad judges are a boon to the profession. But not the individual seeking redress.
nice_guy80 wrote: » the whole legal professsion in Ireland is a self regulated closed shop with the Kings Inn, Law Society, Bar Council etc they set their own fees!! its a cartelhttps://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/legal-profession-waged-four-year-battle-against-reform-bill-1.2532389The power of the legal professions is made clear in Government records detailing the force and extent of their four-year lobbying offensive against measures to overhaul the sector. Files from the Department of Justice show how the Bar Council, the professional body for barristers, received and rejected draft amendments to legislation before they had been presented to Cabinet.
[Deleted User] wrote: » What has that to do with the appointment of Judges? It seems like this is a "I hate the legal profession, oh goodie, this annoys Judges" thread. Do you think, for example, that the children in a family law case deserve a bad Judge who had no experience whatsoever in family law?
Deleted User wrote: » What has that to do with the appointment of Judges? It seems like this is a "I hate the legal profession, oh goodie, this annoys Judges" thread. Do you think, for example, that the children in a family law case deserve a bad Judge who had no experience whatsoever in family law?
Ballstein wrote: » The way your talking it would appear that there has never been an incompetent judge in the country. Once again the Law library is circling the wagons to prevent any modernisation in the profession, doing their best to avoid any scrutiny from the outside. How could a mere engineer or professor possibly sit in judgement of our learned friends and assess their qualifications. It would appear that the act of sitting on a bench for the day making extensive notes is now akin to self levitating such is its complexity. It's a difficult job, requires a good intellect, the ability to process large amounts of information and an ability to remain detached, however, all of these qualities can be measured and a good selection board could be relied upon to make proper appointments. They may make the odd bad one, but no more so than the current system does.
ohnonotgmail wrote: » If it is so straightforward then please tell us how a lay person can assess a persons legal qualifications? what criteria would they use? It would be like asking me to assess a doctors medical qualifications.
Yourself isit wrote: » Democracy couldnt run if we believed that lay people couldn't judge professions.
Ballstein wrote: » As far as I'm aware, there will be solicitors and barristers on the board, it just has to be a lay person majority. They can assess the qualifications of any candidates and then the whole group can make an appointment. Once again it's deliberate distraction tactics to try and derail change.
nice_guy80 wrote: » the children will still be in front of a competent judge selected by an almost independent panel whats the issue
Pat Mustard wrote: » All of the candidates are lawyers. How will they assess the experience and competence of one lawyer candidate over another?
Pat Mustard wrote: » Again:
CrankyHaus wrote: » So presumably you think that the laypersons on the Policing Authority are unable to adequately assess candidates for senior Garda positions and other Gardaí should select them?