Press release
Nominations to the High Court and the Circuit Court - 17 October 2023
From Department of the Taoiseach
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of the Taoiseach
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has welcomed the nominations of four new Judges of the High Court and two new Judges of the Circuit Court today.
The nominations complete the delivery of the first tranche of 24 additional judges approved by Government in February 2023 on foot of the recommendations of the Judicial Planning Working Group, which was established by Minister McEntee.
Minister McEntee said:
"I established the Judicial Planning Working Group to bring a strategic focus to planning the number and type of judges needed to ensure the efficient administration of justice, make it easier for our citizens to access justice and build stronger, safer communities.
“I am so pleased today to complete the initial phase of its first recommendation and significantly increase the number of judges in Ireland by 24.
“Implementing the Group’s recommendation to appoint 44 new judges in two phases is a keystone of my commitment to improve access to justice across the courts system.
“The second tranche of 20 further judicial appointments is planned, subject to an impact assessment of the first tranche of judges and on the condition of certain reforms and efficiencies having been implemented.”
At its meeting today, the government agreed to nominate Mr. David Nolan,S.C., Ms. Denise Brett S.C., Ms. Nuala Jackson, S.C., and Mr. Conleth Bradley, S.C. as Judges of the High Court.
Two vacancies arose due to the appointments of the Hon. Mr. Justice Charles Meenan and the Hon. Ms. Justice Tara Burns to the Court of Appeal on 4 July 2023. One vacancy arose due to the retirement of the Hon. Mr. Justice Michael A. Hanna on 18 July 2023. One additional post was created following the enactment of the Courts Act 2023, which provides for the statutory complement of the Judges of the High Court to be increased by six, from 42 to 48.
The government also agreed to nominate Mr. Jonathan Dunphy, Solicitor,and Mr. Christopher Callan, Solicitor, as Ordinary Judges of the Circuit Court.
These posts were created following the enactment of the Courts Act 2023, which provides for the statutory complement of the Ordinary Judges of the Circuit Court to be increased by five, from 40 to 45.
Minister McEntee added:
“The nomination of additional judges for appointment today is part of an ongoing ambitious programme of reform to deliver on Government’s goal of making access to justice quicker, easier and cheaper for all who need it.
“In addition to the Judicial Planning Working Group and other reforms centred on judicial appointments and judicial training, this programme includes the Peter Kelly report , which outlines the implementation process for the 90 recommendations made by the Civil Justice Review.
“This process represents a significant reform of the civil justice system within Ireland.
“The programme is also being achieved through the investment of additional resources by my department to support the Modernisation Programme being implemented by the Courts Service.
“In addition to significant investment in recent years, the Courts Service will receive €1.4 million in Budget 2024 for up to 35 additional staffing to directly support the work of new members of the Judiciary.
“I congratulate each of the candidates who have been nominated today and look forward to supporting the Judiciary and the Courts Service as we move forward with this momentous period of growth and reform.”
The government has taken the necessary steps to formally advise President Higgins of the nominations in accordance with constitutional practice.
On 21 February 2023, the government approved the recommendations from the Judicial Planning Working Group (JPWG) in relation to additional posts being created in various Courts, including the High Court and Circuit Court.
On 20 June 2023, the government made five nominations to the High Court, filling five of these six additional posts. These five Judges have already been appointed by the President.
Today’s nomination is to fill the last remaining additional post in the High Court.
The JPWG recommended eight additional posts for the Circuit Court.
On 7 March 2023, the government agreed three nominations to the Circuit Court to fill three additional posts created under the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Act, 2022. These three Judges have already been appointed by the President.
The Courts Act 2023 amended the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Act, 2022, and provided for the statutory complement of the Ordinary Judges of the Circuit Court to be increased by five, from 40 to 45.
On 4 July 2023, the government made three nominations to the Circuit Court filling three of these five additional posts. These three Judges have already been appointed by the President.
Today’s nomination is to fill the last two remaining additional posts in the Circuit Court.
In accordance with articles 13.9 and 35.1 of the Constitution, judicial appointments are made by the President acting on the advice of the government. Once appointed by the President, today’s High Court and Circuit Court nominees will complete the first tranche of 24 additional judges recommended by the JPWG.
Educated at University College Dublin, 1981.
Degree of Barrister at Law, Kings Inns, 1985.
Called to the Bar in 1985.
Called to the Inner Bar in 2003.
Chairman of the Bar Council of Ireland, 2012-2014.
Educated at Trinity College Dublin, 1985.
Degree of Barrister at Law, Kings Inns, 1988.
Called to the Bar in 1988.
Called to the Inner Bar in 2015.
Current Chairperson of the Legal Aid Board.
Current Vice-Chairperson of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board.
Educated at Our Lady of Mercy College, Carysfort, 1986.
Degree of Barrister at Law, Kings Inns, 1996.
Called to the Bar in 1996.
Called to the Inner Bar in 2015.
Current Vice-Chairperson of the Council of the Bar of Ireland.
Founder and immediate past Chair of the Specialist Bar Association in the Immigration, Asylum & Citizenship Bar Association (IACBA).
Educated at Queens University Belfast, 1992.
Degree of Barrister at Law, Kings Inns, 1994.
Doctorate in Governance, Queens University/Institute of Public Administration, 2015.
Called to the Bar in 1994.
Called to the Inner Bar in 2005.
Senior Council in High Court, European Court of Human Rights, Court of Justice of the EU and UK Supreme Court from 2005 – to date.
Bar Council Nominee on Honourable Kings Inns Education Appeals Board, 2002 – 2022.
Educated at Trinity College Dublin, 1984.
Qualified as Solicitor in 1988.
Partner at Callan Tansey Solicitors LLP.
Educated at University College Dublin, 1998.
Qualified as Solicitor/Barrister in 2002.
Member of the Criminal Law Committee of the Law Society.
Sole Practitioner at Jonathan Dunphy & Co Solicitors.