Applications open for role of Chief Justice

Applications have opened for the appointment of a successor to Chief Justice Susan Denham.

The Department of Justice has agreed that a three-person committee would consider candidates for the role, which becomes vacant next month when Ms Justice Denham retires.

A non-statutory advisory committee has been set up to invite and consider expressions of interest in the position, and to make recommendations for consideration by the Government.

The committee will consist of Mr Justice Sean Ryan, president of the Court of Appeal; Attorney General Séamus Woulfe SC and Jane Williams, chairwoman of the Top Level Appointments Committee, which selects candidate for senior public service jobs.

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Expressions of interest are invited from eligible persons, namely serving judges and practising barristers and solicitors eligible for appointment as a judge of the Supreme Court.

The notice states expression of interest should set out the applicant’s education, professional qualifications and experience relevant to the position of Chief Justice, accompanied by a 500 word statement setting out the reasons for the person’s interest in and suitability for the office.

New legislation governing judicial appointments, which has been promoted by Minister for Transport Shane Ross, passed its second stage in the Dáil last week but will not become law until the autumn at the earliest.

The selection process was agreed after Mr Ross expressed his disappointment that the new judicial appointments legislation was delayed and would not be in place before Ms Justice Denham retires.

Ms Justice Denham will retire next month after six years in the role, and 25 years as a judge of the Supreme Court.