PART XIJUDGES AND DEPUTY JUDGES
F1107Deputy judges.
1
TheF2Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission may appoint as deputy judgeF3 a person who is—
a
a member of the Bar of Northern Ireland of at least ten years' standing; or
b
a solicitor of theF4Court of Judicature of at least ten years' standing.
F51A
The term for which a person is appointed as a deputy judge is to be determined by the Commission with the agreement of the F6Department of Justice.
2
The appointment of a person as a deputy judge shall specify the term for which he is appointed F7as determined under subsection (1A).
F83
Subject to subsection (4), the Commission may, with the agreement of a deputy judge and the F9Department of Justice, from time to time extend, for such period as it thinks appropriate, the term for which the deputy judge is appointed.
F104
Neither the initial term for which a deputy judge is appointed nor any extension of that term under subsection (3) shall be such as to continue his appointment as a deputy judge after the day on which he attains the age of F1475
5
A deputy judge shall, while he is so acting, have the like authority, jurisdiction, powers and privileges as a judge in all respects [F11 and a reference in any statutory provision to, or which is to be construed as a reference to, a county court judge shall, for the purposes of or in relation to any proceedings in a county court, be construed as including a reference to a deputy judge appointed under this section].
6
Where the hearing of any proceedings duly commenced before any deputy judge is adjourned or judgment is reserved therein, that deputy judge shall, notwithstanding anything in sub-section (2) or (4), have power to resume the hearing and determine the proceedings or, as the case may be, to deliver the judgment so reserved.