SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE OF NORTHERN IRELAND BILL. (Hansard, 7 December 1926)

§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR

My Lords, I think I can explain in a very few minutes the purpose of this Bill. As your Lordships will know matters relating to the Supreme Court in Northern Ireland are reserved to this Parliament. The purpose of this Bill is to make some changes which are desired by the Government of Northern Ireland. The present position is that five Judges of the Supreme Court now receive salaries which are the same as they were when they had jurisdiction over the whole of Ireland. It is proposed now to reduce the salary of each future Judge by £500 a year, which will mean an eventual saving of £2,500 a year. I am satisfied that the salaries proposed are consonant with the dignity and status of the Judges.

The second point is this: the law now requires that civil actions shall be tried by a Judge with a jury unless Parliament otherwise decides. It is proposed to introduce into Northern Ireland the rule which has operated in England for many 1285 years that where a case may involve a long examination of documents or scientific or legal examination which cannot be conveniently made by a jury, it may be tried by a Judge alone. The third point is that opportunity is taken to include in the Bill a provision to enable the Government of Northern Ireland to make certain alterations in the law relating to juries. These minor changes are desired, and it is thought right that the matter should be in the power of the Parliament of Northern Ireland.