Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 16 January 2019

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality

General Scheme of European Convention on Human Rights (compensation for delays in court proceedings) Bill 2019: Discussion

Mr. Micheál P. O'Higgins:

Yes. In 2011, there was the judicial review system for accessing the High Court in bringing challenges to lower courts or tribunal decisions or decisions, for instance, under allocation of housing or social welfare matters and so on. That system was overhauled and a new one, Order 84, was introduced. There are further reforms under way to further hone and refine that but that is an important matter. It is somewhat on a legal footing but, at its heart, it is simply an attempt to make the system more straightforward, understandable and streamlined and less costly.

That is one example; there is a range of others. Judges are more aware of the necessity to speak in the English language and to communicate with people. I do not suggest it is a fully achieved and concluded project, as some lawyers tend to slip into legalese occasionally. I am sure I am guilty of it myself, inadvertently. People take the view that the best lawyer is the person who connects with non-lawyers who are, maybe, at the back of court or in the audience. We are very much conscious of that.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.