Caroline Costello facts for kids

Caroline Costello is a very important Irish judge. She has been the President of the Court of Appeal since July 2024. Before that, she was a Judge in the same court from November 2018. She also served as a Judge in the High Court from 2014 to 2018.

Meet Caroline Costello

Caroline Costello is a leading figure in the Irish legal system. She helps make sure laws are applied fairly. Her work affects many people and businesses in Ireland.

Her Journey to Becoming a Judge

Education and Early Career

Caroline Costello studied Classics and History at University College Dublin. She earned her degree in 1982. After that, she continued her studies at the University of Oxford and King's Inns. King's Inns is a special place in Ireland where people train to become barristers.

Becoming a Lawyer

In 1988, Caroline Costello became a barrister. A barrister is a type of lawyer who argues cases in court. She worked on cases mainly about business and money. This included topics like how businesses work, bank laws, and what happens when a business can't pay its debts. In 2010, she became a senior counsel. This means she was recognized as a very experienced and skilled barrister.

Serving as a Judge

High Court Judge

In September 2014, Caroline Costello was appointed as a Judge of the High Court. The High Court deals with serious legal cases. These cases can be about many different things, from personal disputes to big business problems. She worked on important cases during her time there.

Court of Appeal Judge

In November 2018, she was appointed as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. This court hears appeals from decisions made in lower courts. When she joined, along with another judge named Isobel Kennedy, it was a special moment. It meant the Court of Appeal had an equal number of male and female judges for the first time in Ireland. This was a big step for gender balance in the legal system.

Leading the Court of Appeal

In July 2024, Caroline Costello became the President of the Court of Appeal. This is a very important leadership role. It means she is in charge of how the court runs and oversees its work.

Her Family Connections

Caroline Costello comes from a family with a strong history in Irish law and politics. Her father was Declan Costello. He was also a very important lawyer and judge. He served as the Attorney General of Ireland and later as President of the High Court. Her grandfather was John A. Costello. He was a former Taoiseach, which is the head of government in Ireland.