Noel Ahern
Question:114 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the procedure by which a lay person can be appointed a commissioner of oaths. [17454/97]
Written Answers. - Commissioners for Oaths.
Applicants who wish to be appointed a commissioner for oaths are appointed by the Chief Justice sitting in open court. Applications are made by petition showing the residence and occupation of the petitioner, the number of commissioners in the district, the population of the district and the circumstances showing the necessity for a commissioner and/or how a vacancy has occurred. The petition must be verified by affidavit of the petitioner in which is exhibited a certificate of fitness, generally signed by six local solicitors and six leaders of the local business community.
The petition is brought before the Chief Justice by notice of motion which must be served through the Office of the Supreme Court on all commissioners practising within a ten mile radius of the district in which the applicant will practice; the District Court Clerk for the applicant's district; for Dublin only — the Incorporated Law Society and for all areas outside Dublin — the local bar association.
The petition may be moved by counsel or solicitor on the petitioner's behalf.