Launch of A Century of Courts: The Courts of Justice Act 1924

Launch of A Century of Courts: The Courts of Justice Act 1924

Contributors to the Society’s latest volume, A Century of Courts: The Courts of Justice Act 1924 gathered in the Supreme Court on 26 November 2024. Edited by Dr Niamh Howlin of UCD, the book explores the legacy of the legislation which established Ireland’s modern courts system. With 23 chapters, it examines the new courts from various angles, including the position of the Irish Language, the role of women in the new courts,  the work of the new District and Circuit Courts, the status of judges under the new regime.

The authors of this volume are Dr Thomas Mohr; Mr Justice Maurice Collins; Mr Evan McGuigan; Dr Mark Coen; Dr Bláthna Ruane SC; Mr Daire Hogan, Prof Laura Cahillane, Mr Robert Marshall; Dr Kevin Costello; Judge Patricia Ryan; Mr Justice David Barniville; Chief Justice Donal O’Donnell; Mr Justice Gerard Hogan; Ms Justice Úna Ní Raifeartaigh; Dr Róisín Á Costello BL; Dr Lynsey Black; Dr Danielle Jefferis; Prof Brice Dickson; Prof Hilary Biehler; Dr Donal Coffey; Judge Paul Kelly and Prof Diarmaid Ferriter.

This brings to a close a series of events to mark the centenary of the establishment of Ireland’s courts system. For this project, the Irish Legal History Society has enjoyed collaborating with the Courts Service, An Post, University College Dublin, the judiciary, UCD Sutherland School of Law and the Office of Public works.

Launch of The Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland, by Dr Conor McCormick and Prof Brice Dickson

Launch of The Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland, by Dr Conor McCormick and Prof Brice Dickson

 

 

The Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland, written jointly by Dr Conor McCormick and Professor Brice Dickson, was launched in the Inn of Court of Northern Ireland at the Royal Courts of Justice Belfast on Monday 18th November by the Lady Chief Justice Dame Siobhan Keegan and Sir Donnell Deeny, a retired judge of the Court of Appeal.

Dr Conor McCormick in introducing the evening outlined the genesis of the volume stemming from initial research for a paper on the work of the Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland, delivered at UCD to mark the 10th Anniversary of the Court of Appeal in Ireland.  He and Professor Dickson had then expanded their work to cover the first 100 years of the Northern Ireland Court

Their book is a volume in the Bristol Shorts Research’ Series from Bristol University Press.  It provides a comprehensive account and description of the work of the Court since its inception but predominantly over the last 25 years.  In her remarks, the Lady Chief Justice complimented the authors on their endeavours and noted how the volume would provide a more permanent record than press reports and would better inform those reporting on the work of the court.

The Lady Chief Justice highlighted many topics addressed by the authors.  She noted particularly how the work of the Court paralleled developments in society and that the Court of Appeal is now a supervising body for regulatory and other tribunals in addition to its role in respect the High and lower courts.  This work requires that the members of the court keep abreast of those developments in Society with ever wider knowledge.  She also highlighted the development of Constitutional Law over the last 25 years.

Sir Donnell Deeny in commending the volume spoke from his experience as a retired judge of the Court.  He said the book would provide answers to points of practice which will be of value to new practitioners and experienced advocates.  He noted how the authors examined the High Court for (All) Ireland, established under the Government of Ireland Act 1920 but swept away in consequence of the Treaty of December 1921.  Sir Donnell also provided an interesting analysis of the record of those sitting on the court including the outcome of appeals to the House of Lords and the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom.

Professor Dickson concluded the proceedings by outlining the contents of the volume and its methodology which, with its useful appendices and index, runs to 186 pages.  He concluded by thanking those who had supported their research and assisted with its publication.

Mr Justice Gerard Hogan, Judge of the Supreme Court of Ireland, to officially launch Palles: The Legal Legacy of the last Lord Chief Baron

Mr Justice Gerard Hogan, Judge of the Supreme Court of Ireland, to officially launch Palles: The Legal Legacy of the last Lord Chief Baron

The Sutherland School of Law are delighted to welcome Mr Justice Gerard Hogan, Judge of the Supreme Court of Ireland, to officially launch:

Palles: The Legal Legacy of the last Lord Chief Baron

Jointly edited by Professor Oonagh Breen and Dr Noel McGrath

This book will be launched on Wednesday 5 October at 6.30pm
in The Gardiner Atrium, UCD Sutherland School of Law

Those wishing to attend should register here by Monday 3 October.

 

 

Launch of Irish Speakers, Interpreters and the Courts 1754-1921

Mary Phelan, Irish Speakers, Interpreters and the Courts 1754-1921 (Four Courts Press 2019).

This book was launched by Ms Justice Úna Ní Raifeartaigh of the Court of Appeal at a reception at DCU on Tuesday 21 January 2020. The event was well-attended by academics from a number of disciplines including law, history, translation studies, Irish studies and linguistics.

                 

Professor Dorothy Kenny from the DCU School of Applied Language and Intercultural Studies welcomed attendees and the interdisciplinary and ground-breaking nature of the research was highlighted by Professor Patrick Geoghegan, President of the Irish Legal History Society. Ms Justice Úna Ní Raifeartaigh spoke about the position of the Irish language in the State and in the courts, noting the continued relevance of a number of themes running through the book.

Dr Mary Phelan is a lecturer in the School of Applied Language and Intercultural Studies (SALIS)  at DCU. She is the chairperson of the Irish Translators’ and Interpreters’ Association and her research is in the field of Translation Studies, particularly historical provision of court interpreters and contemporary provision of interpreters in courts, police stations, hospitals and other settings.

 

The book is available for purchase directly from Four Courts Press, and is supplied free of charge to all ILHS members.

Launch of Molyneux at Iveagh House

January 2019 saw the launch of Patrick Hyde Kelly’s edition of William Molyneux’s The Case of Ireland’s Being Bound by Acts of Parliament in England, Stated.

Regarded as the most celebrated Irish political pamphlet published before 1801, William Molyneux’s Case of Ireland, stated (1698) was written to demonstrate that English statutes did not have force in Ireland until they had been re-enacted by the Irish parliament.

The book was launched at Iveagh House  on Friday 25 January by Professor Ian MacBride.

The book is available for purchase from Four Courts Press, and is free to members of the Society.

Double Book Launch

The Irish Legal History Society was delighted to announce the official launch of two recent publications in January 2018: Juries in Ireland:Laypersons and Law in the Long Nineteenth Century by Dr Niamh Howlin & Guardian of the Treaty: The Privy Council Appeal and Irish Sovereignty by Dr Thomas Mohr

The books were launched at a special event at the UCD Sutherland School of Law on Tuesday 30 January 2018.  Professor Hector MacQueen of  Edinburgh Law School, delivered a lecture entitled ‘Reflections on Legal History.’

    

pictured: Dr Niamh Howlin, Dr Thomas Mohr, Professor Hector MacQueen and Ted.

Launch of The Irish Stage: A Legal History

 

W.N. Ososborough launchborough’s The Irish Stage: A Legal History (Four Courts Press 2015) was successfully launched by Judge Bryan MacMahon at Books Upstairs, Dublin, on Thursday 8 October.judge macmahon and robert marshall at osborough launch

 

 

 

 

Judge MacMahon is a former judge of the High Court and Chairman of the Board of the Abbey Theatre, and spoke enthusiastically about the book.

Professor Osborough explained that the idea for this book had originated while he was conducting research for Law and the Emergence of Modern Dublin: A Litigation Topography for a Capital City, during the 1990s.

judge macmahon at osborough launch

The losborough-irish-stageaunch was well-attended by members of the Society and others with an interest in law, literature and theatre, and Books Upstairs provided a marvellous venue.