Courts / Ireland / Report

Jerry Beades challenges judge's appointment as President of High Court

Summary

Businessman and anti-eviction activist Jerry Beades has launched a legal challenge in the Central Office of the High Court against the Government's decision to nominate Mr Justice Peter Kelly as the next President of the High Court. The applicant alleges that the judge is not suitable for the role. The action is directed against Ireland, the Attorney General, the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board, and the Minister for Justice and Equality, while Mr Justice Kelly is not a party to the proceedings. Beades seeks various High Court orders and declarations arising from the intended appointment. It remains unknown whether he will seek an injunction to prevent Mr Justice Kelly from assuming the position. Mr Justice Kelly, who previously presided over the Commercial Court before his appointment to the Court of Appeal, was nominated by the Government on Tuesday and is scheduled to formally take up the post early next week. He is due to succeed Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns, who will sit for the final time as a judge of the superior courts on Friday. The matter is currently at the appeal stage, and no finalisation, plea, finding, or sentence has been recorded for the applicant.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jerry Beades challenges judge's appointment as President of High Court. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

• 2015-12-17 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal

Read the original CNI report