Liam McKechnie
William Martin McKechnie (born 16 April 1951) is an Irish judge who has served as a Judge of the Supreme Court of Ireland since March 2010. He previously served as Judge of the High Court from 2000 to 2010.
Liam McKechnie | |
|---|---|
| Judge of the Supreme Court | |
| Assumed office 5 July 2010 | |
| Nominated by | Government of Ireland |
| Appointed by | Mary McAleese |
| Judge of the High Court | |
| In office 19 May 2000 – 5 July 2010 | |
| Nominated by | Government of Ireland |
| Appointed by | Mary McAleese |
| Personal details | |
| Born | William Martin McKechie 16 April 1951 Kinsale, County Cork, Ireland |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Education | Presentation Brothers College, Cork |
| Alma mater | |
Early life
He was born in 1951 and educated at Presentation Brothers College, Cork. He graduated from University College Cork in 1971 with a BCL degree and the King's Inns in 1972.[1][2][3] He holds a Master's degree in European law from University College Dublin.[4]
Legal career
He was called to the Bar in 1972.[5] He became a Senior Counsel in October 1987, on the same day as future Supreme Court colleagues Susan Denham and Mary Laffoy.[6] His practice focused on commercial law, medical negligence, chancery law and the law related to local authorities.[5]
He was elected chairman of the Bar Council in 1999,[2] and was elected again in 2000.[5] He was the vice chairman in 1993 and 1997.[1] He is a Bencher of the King's Inns.[5]
Judicial career
High Court
McKechnie was appointed as a Judge of the High Court in 2000. He presided over competition matters in the High Court from 2004 to 2010.[5] He also sat as a judge in the Special Criminal Court.[7]
In the High Court, McKechnie made Ireland's first declaration of incompatibility under the European Convention on Human Rights Act 2003 in Foy v An t-Ard Chláraitheoir.[5]
In 2010, he was elected President of the Association of European Competition Law Judges, which represents judges from each of the European Union member states.[2]
Supreme Court
In June 2010, he was nominated to the Supreme Court of Ireland, following the retirement of Hugh Geoghegan.[2] He was appointed by President of Ireland Mary McAleese in July 2010.[8]
References
- Minihan, Mary. "Government nominates Fennelly to be next Supreme Court Judge". The Irish Times. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
- Coulter, Carol (23 June 2010). "Mr Justice McKechnie nominated for Supreme Court". The Irish Times. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
- "Current Judges of the Supreme Court". Supreme Court. Archived from the original on 29 February 2012. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
- "LIAM MCKECHNIE". Just Competition. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
- "2018 Supreme Court Annual Report" (PDF). Supreme Court. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
- "Two women among four called to the Inner Bar". The Irish Times. 6 October 1987. p. 10.
- "Court decision on Paul Ward appeal to take 'some time'". Irish Independent. 9 March 2002. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
- "Annual Report 2010" (PDF). Judicial Appointments Advisory Board. Retrieved 30 May 2020.