McDowell brings change of address to courts

Minister for Justice Michael McDowell has signed into law changes in how judges can be addressed in court.

From next Tuesday, when the new law term opens, a Judge will no longer be addressed as "My Lord".

Members of the Superior Courts will be addressed as "Judge", except in the case of the Chief Justice and the President of the High Court who will be addressed by their titles.

In the past where Judges were referred to as "His Lordship", they will now be referred to as 'The Court'.

Signing the new rules into operation today, the Minister welcomed the development and thanked the Superior Courts Rules Committee for making the change.

He said: "I think it is appropriate that, under a Republican Constitution,  the old fashioned mode of address has been ended".