On Tuesday, the new Courts Service, which aims to manage the courts in a modern, high-tech, public- and media-friendly, extra-speedy fashion, will be established and the occasion is being marked by a grand reception in the Round Hall of the Four Courts hosted by the Minister for Justice, John O'Donoghue.
The question on some lips, however, is whether the new service will have sufficient judges to proceed in the manner intended. Such speculation may sound bizarre, given that two new High Court judges were named this week, bringing to 14 the number appointed to that court alone since 1996. In the past, maybe one senior judge was appointed every five years. In fact, the demand for judges arises because so many are tied up in tribunals; the court lists are ever-expanding; and there were two recent high-profile resignations. Also, barristers can now earn more in practice than on the bench, so the number of applications to the Judicial Appointments Board has fallen in recent months as the eligible and the willing have been appointed.
Two new developments will help matters - the board can approach likely candidates, and the Law Society has won the final strand of its vigorous campaign to allow solicitors serve as Supreme and High Court judges.
Victory on appointments to the lower courts, District and Circuit, was achieved some years ago and, despite objections from the Bar Council, only the necessary legislation is awaited for solicitors - 85 per cent of the legal profession - to be eligible for the higher bench.
Four Supreme Court judges retire next year. They are likely to be replaced from the High Court, thus creating vacancies down the line. Most interest centres on who will replace Liam Hamilton as Chief Justice, with former Attorney General John Murray and Supreme Court judge Susan Denham favourites. Others mentioned are Frederick Morris and Ronan Keane. As always, appointments will be the hot topic on Tuesday, when the legal eagles gather. They will include judges, barristers and solicitors as well as the head of the Courts Service, P.J. Fitzpatrick, chairman of the Bar Council, Liam McKenchie, and president and chief executive of the Law Society, Pat O'Connor and Ken Murphy.