Government urged to appoint more judges

THE chairperson of the Courts Service said there is an urgent need for more judges despite a significant drop in the number of murder and rape cases last year as well as a general reduction in waiting times for court hearings.

Ms Justice Susan Denham urged the Government to consider the appointment of additional judges given the continuous increase in the type, complexity and quantity of matters coming before the courts.

Launching the 2003 report of the Courts Service yesterday, she said: "Work needs to be done on this matter, if we are not always going to be playing catch up."