(1)The[F2Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission] may appoint as deputy judge[F3 a person who is—
(a)a member of the Bar of Northern Ireland of at least ten years' standing; or
(b)a solicitor of the[F4Court of Judicature] of at least ten years' standing.]
[F5(1A)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)].
[F8(3)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.]
[F10(4)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 [F1175]]
(5)A deputy judge shall, while he is so acting, have the like authority, jurisdiction, powers and privileges as a judge in all respects [F12 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.
(7)[F13The Department of Justice shall pay] to every deputy judge, except a resident magistrate, such remuneration and allowances as the Lord Chancellor may, with the concurrence of[F14 the Treasury], determine.]
F2Words in s. 107(1) substituted (12.4.2010) by Northern Ireland Act 2009 (c. 3), ss. 2(3), 5(7)(a), Sch. 4 para. 3(2) (with Sch. 5 para. 16); S.I. 2010/812, art. 2
F4Words in s. 107(1)(b) substituted (1.10.2009) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 59(5), 148(1), Sch. 11 para. 6; S.I. 2009/1604, art. 2
F5S. 107(1A) inserted (12.4.2010) by Northern Ireland Act 2009 (c. 3), ss. 2(3), 5(7)(a), Sch. 4 para. 3(3) (with Sch. 5 para. 16); S.I. 2010/812, art. 2
F6Words in s. 107(1A) substituted (12.4.2010) by Department of Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 (c. 3), ss. 1(5), 3(2), Sch. para. 2; S.R. 2010/147, art. 2(2)
F7Words in s. 107(2) inserted (12.4.2010) by Northern Ireland Act 2009 (c. 3), ss. 2(3), 5(7)(a), Sch. 4 para. 3(4) (with Sch. 5 para. 16); S.I. 2010/812, art. 2
F8S. 107(3) substituted (12.4.2010) by Northern Ireland Act 2009 (c. 3), ss. 2(3), 5(7)(a), Sch. 4 para. 3(5) (with Sch. 5 para. 16); S.I. 2010/812, art. 2
F9Words in s. 107(3) substituted (12.4.2010) by Department of Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 (c. 3), ss. 1(5), 3(2), Sch. para. 2; S.R. 2010/147, art. 2(2)
F11Word in s. 107(4) substituted (10.3.2022) by Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Act 2022 (c. 7), s. 131(1)(4)(a), Sch. 1 para. 6(3) (with Sch. 1 para. 43)
F13Words in s. 107(7) substituted (12.4.2010) by Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/976), arts. 1(2), 15(5), Sch. 18 para. 105 (with arts. 28-31); S.I. 2010/977, art. 1(2)