David Barniville facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
David Barniville
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Barniville in 2024
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| President of the High Court | |
| Assumed office 13 July 2022 |
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| Nominated by | Government of Ireland |
| Appointed by | Michael D. Higgins |
| Preceded by | Mary Irvine |
| Judge of the High Court | |
| Assumed office 13 July 2022 |
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| Nominated by | Government of Ireland |
| Appointed by | Michael D. Higgins |
| In office 1 December 2017 – 30 August 2021 |
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| Nominated by | Government of Ireland |
| Appointed by | Michael D. Higgins |
| Judge of the Court of Appeal | |
| In office 30 August 2021 – 13 July 2022 |
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| Nominated by | Government of Ireland |
| Appointed by | Michael D. Higgins |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Dublin, Ireland |
| Spouse |
Susan O'Connell
(m. 1998) |
| Children | 3 |
| Relatives | Henry Barniville (grandfather) |
| Education | Blackrock College |
| Alma mater |
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David Barniville is an important Irish judge. He has been the President of the High Court since July 2022. Before that, he was a judge in the High Court from 2017 to 2021, and then a judge in the Court of Appeal from 2021 to 2022. He also used to lead the Bar Council of Ireland, which is a group for barristers (lawyers).
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Early Life and Education
David Barniville grew up in Dublin, Ireland. His parents, Geraldine and Harry, were both international tennis players. His grandfather, Henry Barniville, was a surgeon and a member of Seanad Éireann, which is part of the Irish parliament.
David went to secondary school at Blackrock College. He then studied law at University College Dublin, finishing in 1988. He continued his legal studies at the King's Inns, a special place where lawyers are trained in Ireland.
Legal Career
David Barniville became a barrister in July 1990. A barrister is a type of lawyer who represents people in court. In October 2006, he became a Senior Counsel, which means he was recognized as a very experienced and skilled lawyer. He also became a barrister in England and Wales in 2016.
As a barrister, he worked on cases involving business law and laws about how the government works. He was also interested in arbitration, which is a way to solve disagreements outside of court. He represented the Irish government in the European Court of Justice, which is the highest court in the European Union.
From 2014 to 2016, he was the chairman of the Bar Council of Ireland. This group represents barristers and helps set rules for them. He was also part of several other important legal groups.
David Barniville is also a professor of law at the University of Limerick. He has helped lead the National Maternity Hospital, Dublin and chaired a group called Irish Rule of Law International, which promotes fair laws around the world.
Judicial Career
High Court Judge
David Barniville became a judge of the High Court in December 2017. The High Court deals with serious legal cases. From 2018, he was the judge in charge of cases involving arbitration. By 2020, he was leading the Commercial List, which handles big business disputes.
In the High Court, he heard many different types of cases. These included cases about companies that couldn't pay their debts, orders to stop someone from doing something (injunctions), and cases about false statements (defamation). He also reviewed decisions made by planning authorities.
In September 2019, he was chosen to lead the Referendum Commission. This group helps explain referendums (when people vote on a new law) to the public.
Court of Appeal Judge
In August 2021, David Barniville was appointed a judge of the Court of Appeal. This court hears appeals from decisions made in lower courts, like the High Court.
President of the High Court
In June 2022, David Barniville was chosen to become the President of the High Court. He officially started this important role on July 13, 2022. As President, he is the main judge of the High Court and helps manage its work.
Personal Life
David Barniville is married to Susan O'Connell. They have three children.
