Appointments to the Court of Appeal

The Government has moved to increase the number of judges on the Court of Appeal from 9 to 15.

Seven nominations were agreed at Cabinet this week, six of whom will be appointed by the President shortly.

The nominees agreed at the Cabinet meeting on 8th October for appointment by the President to the Court of Appeal are: Ms Justice Mary Faherty, Ms Justice Una Ní Raifeartaigh, Mr Justice Seamus Noonan, Mr Justice Robert Haughton, Mr Brian Murray SC and Ms Justice Ann Power.

The Government also agreed to nominate Mr Maurice Collins, SC for appointment to the Court of Appeal when a vacancy arises later this month on the retirement of Mr Justice Michael Peart.

Part of the Government’s commitment to providing greater and more efficient access to justice, the nominations were made under the Courts Act 2019.

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.

The Government has taken the necessary steps to formally advise President Higgins of the nominations in accordance with constitutional procedure.

Ends

Note for Editors

Limited biographical details

Ms. Justice Mary Faherty

• educated at University of Freiberg, Germany, University College Dublin & the King’s Inns
• called to the Bar in 1986
• called to the Inner Bar in 2001
• appointed to the Circuit Court 2002
• appointed to the High Court 2014
• appointed Judge of the United Nations Appeals Tribunal (UNAT) in 2011, serving as President of UNAT) from 2012 to 2014

Ms. Justice Una Ní Raifeartaigh

• educated at University College Dublin and King’s Inns
• called to the Bar in 1993
• called to the inner Bar in 2009
• appointed to the High Court 2016
• former Reid Professor of Criminal Law, Trinity College Dublin: 1991-1995

Mr. Justice Seamus Noonan

• educated at Trinity College Dublin
• called to the Bar in 1977
• called to the inner Bar in 2007
• appointed to the High Court 2014

Mr. Justice Robert Haughton

• educated at Trinity College Dublin and the King’s Inns
• called to the Bar in 1979
• called to the Inner Bar in 2004
• appointed to the High Court 2014

Mr. Brian Murray, SC

• educated at University College Dublin, University of Cambridge and the King’s Inns
• called to the Bar in 1989
• called to the Inner Bar in 2002
• A&L Goodbody Lecturer in Company Law at Trinity College Dublin; Lecturer in the King’s Inns

Mr. Maurice Collins, SC

• educated at University College Cork and the King’s Inns
• called to the Bar in 1989
• called to the Inner Bar in 2003
• former Chair Incorporated Council for Law Reporting

Ms. Justice Ann Power

• educated at Mater Dei Institute of Education, the King’s Inns, Trinity College Dublin
• called to the Bar in 1993
• called to the Inner Bar in 2006
• former Judge of the European Court of Human Rights 2008-2014
• presiding Judge of the Constitutional Court Chamber, Kosovo Specialist Chambers, (EU Internationalised Tribunal), 2017 to present
• adjunct professor, Dublin City University; Judge European Court of Human Rights 2008 - 2014