Judges in Ireland are appointed by the President acting on the advice of the Government. In most cases, the Government decides who to appoint as a judge after it has been advised by the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board. This Board identifies and informs the Government about suitable barristers and solicitors who have applied for the job. The Judicial Appointments Advisory Board was established by law under Section 13 of the Court and Court Officers Act 1995. Membership of the Judicial Appointments Board consist of the Chief Justice, President of the Court of Appeal, President of the High Court, President of the Circuit Court, President of the District Court, the Attorney General, a practicing barrister, solicitor and 3 Ministerial appointments.
Some judicial assistants are assigned to the work directly with judges of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, High Court and Circuit Court. Assistants assigned to specific judges assist the judge with research, preparing for cases, proof-reading and communicating with the parties to a case. They also combine the role of judicial assistant with that of the traditional tipstaff or crier. Other judicial assistants are assigned to the Judicial Research Office (JRO), which is a pool of assistants available to judges without a designated judicial assistant. The JRO undertakes research, preparation of material for publication, preparation and updating of handbooks, and proof-reading of judgements and other documents for judges across all jurisdictions.
