Clause 5 - Appointment to listed judicial offices
Justice (Northern Ireland) Bill
4:30 pm
Lady Lady Hermon (North Down, UUP)
It may help the Committee if I explain that, through schedule 3, clause 5(1)
''transfers to the First and deputy First Minister, acting jointly''—
the words that I find so difficult—
''the power to make appointments, or recommendations for appointment, to listed judicial offices and makes provision about associated functions''.
I seek clarification from the Minister, so I ask him to intervene usefully in a moment or two.
Clause 4 specifically provides a procedure for the appointment of judges to the High Court on the recommendation of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, acting jointly. As was brought out by
the hon. Member for Reigate, High Court judges are included in the list of judicial offices in schedule 1, to my bitter regret. Please will the Minister clarify the position of the appointment of High Court judges?