Irish judge appointed as advocate general to Courts of Justice of EU

Irish judge Anthony Collins has been appointed as advocate general to the Court of Justice of the European Union, an influential position that involves producing opinions to help judges deliberate.

Mr Collins was appointed after a vacancy arose due to former advocate general Gerard Hogan’s appointment to the Supreme Court.

The 1984 Trinity College graduate previously served as a judge in the General Court of the European Union since 2013 and prior to that acted as senior counsel at the Bar of Ireland.

“It is a great honour and privilege to have been appointed by common accord of the member states of the EU to this prestigious post,” Mr Collins said in a statement.

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“I shall continue to endeavour to promote and to secure the rule of law throughout the EU.”

The position of advocate general has no equivalent in common law systems such as Ireland’s. They assist with cases, can pose questions and serve to provide an independent opinion to judges, which is not binding but is viewed as influential.

Minister for Justice Heather Humphreys welcomed the appointment, a spokesman said, adding that the appointment follows an assessment by an expert panel established to help identify qualified and eligible candidates, and make recommendations to the Government.

The appointment was approved in a meeting of EU member states on Wednesday and will enter into force once it is published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

The European Council said in a statement that Mr Collins would serve from October 7th, 2021 until October 6th, 2024.