Judges and magistrates are already receiving additional allowances, amounting to €24,000 over three years, even before a holistic reform of the judiciary is endorsed by Parliament.
There are some things that could be introduced without going through the parliamentary process
Members of the judiciary have received €4,000 this year, over and above their salary and other allowances, The Times has learnt.
The figure will increase to €8,000 next year and €12,000 in 2014, according to a spokeswoman for the Justice Ministry, amounting to €24,000 over three years. (See box on page four for a breakdown of the judiciary’s salaries and allowances over the next three years.)
The raise was announced in August as part of a reform that was to see the retirement age increased to 68 from 65 years, a change to the pensions system and more accountability and efficiency by the judiciary.
The higher allowances were given for “self-development”, the holding of court sessions in the afternoon and the implementation of the new diary system.
Other aspects of the reform, namely the change in retirement age and the introduction of pensions for the judiciary, have been suspended until Parliament can debate and approve changes to the law.
Labour had backed the proposal to raise the retirement age of sitting judges and magistrates but opposed the increased allowances and the new pension system, arguing that the economic scenario did not permit an increase in salaries and allowances, “even though they might deserve them”. Urging the Opposition to rethink its position, Justice Minister Chris Said had said in October: “This is a package deal and we cannot pick and choose.”
As things stand now, the reform has only been partially implemented pending legislative changes that can only be enacted once Parliament is sitting.
The House is now in Christmas recess and is expected to resume on January 7, when it will be dissolved paving the way for the election to take place on March 9.
Speaking to The Times yesterday, Dr Said argued that this was not a case of picking and choosing.
“We are going to implement everything. There are some things that could be introduced without going through the parliamentary process and there are other things that need a parliamentary process,” he said.
He said Labour knew that the higher allowances had been given to the judiciary and never criticised them.
He stressed that the raise was important and justified, mostly because the Government wanted to attract the best legal minds to the judiciary.
Asked how the taxpayer would be benefiting, Dr Said pointed out that judges and magistrates had already started to implement the diary system from October 1.
“There are already indications that this is working well andwe will soon introduce it for criminal cases.”
Training has also started, with a number of sessions planned for the beginning of the year where judges will be prepared for changes in the law and several EU matters.
“Court sittings are also taking place in the afternoon, where required,” Dr Said noted, adding that initiatives were being taken to have more court documents posted online.