IMF threatened judicial autonomy

The IMF threatened the independence of the Irish judiciary demanding changes as part of the austerity programme, according to the European Justice Commissioner, Viviane Reding.

The Irish justice system is rated the third most independent in the world, according to business and industry figures, but the study confirmed that courts are not able to keep up with the number of commercial and civil cases.

The IMF, as part of the troika, recommended regulation of the legal profession be taken from the profession and replaced with a regulator within the Department of Justice with members appointed by the minister.