Judicial Appointments

Ms Justice Úna Ní Raifeartaigh has been elected to serve as the next Irish judge on the European Court of Human Rights. The Court of Appeal judge was the overwhelming choice of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), with only a handful of votes cast yesterday for r

Judge Fergal Gaynor, Ms Justice Úna Ní Raifeartaigh and Professor Colm Ó Cinnéide have been named as the candidates to succeed Judge Síofra O'Leary on the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) will next m

The Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022 following an Article 26 reference. Delivering judgment for the Supreme Court, Ms Justice Elizabeth Dunne confirmed that “there is nothing express or implicit in s. 51” requiring the gover

Landmark reforms to the judicial appointments process are compatible with the Constitution and can become law, the Supreme Court has ruled. The Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022 was referred to the court by President Michael D. Higgins under Article 26 of the Constitution — the first

Legal academics have expressed disappointment that Supreme Court hearings on the constitutionality of landmark judicial appointment reforms are not being live-streamed. The Supreme Court today began hearing arguments on the constitutionality of the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022, which w

Barrister Mark O'Connell BL has been nominated for appointment to the District Court bench. Mr O'Connell will fill the vacancy arising from the retirement of Judge Olann Kelleher last month.

Patrick McGrath SC has been nominated for appointment to the High Court. Ministers yesterday selected Mr McGrath to fill the vacancy arising from the elevation of Mr Justice Brian O'Moore to the Court of Appeal on Monday.

Four lawyers have been nominated by ministers for appointment as High Court judges and two as Circuit Court judges. Barristers David Nolan SC, Denise Brett SC, Nuala Jackson SC and Conleth Bradley SC have been nominated for appointment to the High Court.

Lady Justice Simler will join the UK Supreme Court on 14 November, it has been announced. King Charles III made the appointment on the advice of the prime minister and lord chancellor, following the recommendations of an independent selection commission.

Landmark reforms to the judicial appointments process could be referred to the Supreme Court this week amid concerns around their constitutionality. The Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022, which completed the final stages in the Oireachtas in July, will replace the Judicial Appointments Advi

Dame Sue Carr has chosen to take the title of Lady Chief Justice on her appointment to lead the judiciary in England and Wales, according to reports. The first woman to ever hold the top judicial post was given the choice of being known as Lord Chief Justice, Lady Chief Justice or simply Chief Justi

Retired Supreme Court judge Mr Justice John MacMenamin has been appointed as chairperson of the Irish Financial Services Appeals Tribunal (IFSAT). IFSAT is an independent tribunal which hears and determines appeals brought against certain decisions of the Central Bank. Its decisions can be appealed

Mr Justice Brian O'Moore is to be elevated to the Court of Appeal and 10 new District Court judges appointed, the government has announced. The High Court judge will fill the vacancy arising from the appointment of Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly to the Supreme Court in June.

Legislation providing for the establishment of a new Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) has competed its final stages in the Seanad and is likely to soon become law. The Judicial Appointments Commission Bill 2022, which represents the most significant reforms to the judicial appointments process

Barristers Gerard Meehan SC and Fiona O'Sullivan SC and solicitor Jennifer O'Brien have been nominated for appointment as Circuit Court judges. The new nominees will fill vacancies created under the Courts Act 2023, which provides for an increase in the number of ordinary Circuit Court judges from 4