The career options open to judges who leave the profession before the normal retirement age are limited. Before their appointment, all judges practise as barristers (though in recent years solicitors can be appointed to the Circuit Court). However, this is not a two-way street. Under the rules of the Bar a former judge is not entitled to practise as a barrister in any court in which he sat, or in a lower court.
At a meeting of the Bar, an exception to this rule was made in the case of a former president of the High Court, Mr Harry Whelehan, who was forced to resign after only a few days. However, the exceptional circumstances were stressed. While this rule did not envisage the kind of situation now facing two senior members of the judiciary, it is not certain that the Bar would continue to make exceptions.
Other options might include practising at the English or Northern Ireland Bars, or taking up positions in the commercial sector as legal advisers to leading companies.