Commentary Part 6: Supplementary Section 82: Excepted matters: judicial office-holders
157.At present, the Northern Ireland Assembly cannot legislate about the appointment and removal of specified judicial office holders: those are “excepted” matters under the Northern Ireland Act 1998. This section provides for the appointment and removal of judicial office holders to become a “reserved” matter, in preparation for the transfer of this power from Westminster to the Northern Ireland Assembly by order once responsibility for justice matters is devolved as recommended by the Review(7). Remuneration, superannuation and other terms and conditions of holders of these judicial offices (other than those relating to removal from office) are, however, to remain an “excepted” matter.