Fidelma Macken facts for kids

Fidelma Macken (born February 28, 1942) is a retired judge from Ireland. She worked in some of the highest courts. She was a judge in the Supreme Court and the High Court in Ireland. She also served as a judge at the European Court of Justice.

Early Life and Education

Fidelma Macken was born in Dublin, Ireland. She went to two important schools for law. She studied at King's Inns and Trinity College Dublin. These schools helped her become a lawyer.

A Career in Law

Fidelma Macken became a lawyer, called a barrister, in 1972. A barrister is a lawyer who speaks in court. She worked as a legal adviser for a few years. In 1995, she became a Senior Counsel. This means she was a very experienced and respected lawyer.

As a lawyer, she often worked on cases about medicine. She helped defend doctors and companies in court.

Becoming a Judge

Fidelma Macken became a judge in the High Court in 1998. This court deals with serious cases in Ireland.

Judge at the European Court of Justice

In 1999, she became a judge at the European Court of Justice (ECJ). This court is very important for Europe. It makes sure that laws are applied fairly across all countries in the European Union. Fidelma Macken was the first woman from Ireland to be a judge at the ECJ. She served there until 2004.

Returning to Irish Courts

After her time at the European Court, she returned to Ireland. In 2004, she became a judge in the High Court again. Then, in 2005, she was chosen to be a judge in the Supreme Court. This is the highest court in Ireland. She served on the Supreme Court until 2012.

After Retirement

Even after retiring from being a judge, Fidelma Macken continued to work in the legal field. She has also taught law at Trinity College Dublin. She shared her knowledge with new law students.

See also

• List of members of the European Court of Justice