Susan Denham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Susan Denham
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| Chief Justice of Ireland | |
| In office 25 July 2011 – 28 July 2017 |
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| Nominated by | Government of Ireland |
| Appointed by | Mary McAleese |
| Preceded by | John L. Murray |
| Succeeded by | Frank Clarke |
| Judge of the Supreme Court | |
| In office 1 May 1992 – 28 July 2017 |
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| Nominated by | Government of Ireland |
| Appointed by | Mary Robinson |
| Judge of the High Court | |
| In office 11 July 1991 – 1 May 1992 |
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| Nominated by | Government of Ireland |
| Appointed by | Mary Robinson |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Susan Jane Gageby
22 August 1945 Sandymount, Dublin, Ireland |
| Spouse |
Brian Denham
(m. 1992) |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | Alexandra College |
| Alma mater | |
Susan Jane Denham is a well-known retired Irish judge. She was born on August 22, 1945. From 2011 to 2017, she held the very important role of Chief Justice of Ireland. This was a big deal because she was the first woman ever to be the Chief Justice.
Before that, she was a judge on the Supreme Court of Ireland from 1992 to 2017. She was one of the longest-serving judges on that court when she retired. She also served as a judge on the High Court for a short time, from 1991 to 1992.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Susan Gageby was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1945. She went to school at Alexandra College in Dublin. Her father, Douglas Gageby, was a famous editor of The Irish Times newspaper. Her grandfather, Seán Lester, was also a very important person.
Susan studied law at several top universities. She attended Trinity College Dublin, King's Inns, and Columbia University in New York City. While she was studying in Dublin, she helped start the Free Legal Advice Centres. These centers give legal help to people who cannot afford it.
Becoming a Lawyer
Susan Denham officially became a lawyer in July 1971. Later, in October 1987, she became a Senior Counsel. This is a special title for experienced lawyers. She was only the fourth woman in Ireland to achieve this. Another future Supreme Court judge, Mary Laffoy, became a Senior Counsel on the same day.
Susan worked as a lawyer in the middle of Ireland until 1979. After that, she moved her practice to Dublin. She worked on many important cases, especially those involving "judicial review." This is when courts check if government decisions are fair and legal.
Judicial Career
Susan Denham had a long and impactful career as a judge.
High Court and Supreme Court Roles
She became a High Court judge in 1991. Just one year later, in 1992, at 47 years old, she made history. She was the first woman ever appointed to the Supreme Court of Ireland. The Supreme Court is the highest court in Ireland.
Throughout her time as a judge, many people saw her as a "liberal" judge. This means she often supported individual rights and new ways of thinking about the law.
In a case called Kelly v Hennessy in 1996, she helped set out rules for when someone could claim "nervous shock" in Ireland. This is a type of emotional harm. In 2001, she was the only judge on the Supreme Court to disagree with the majority in a case called TD v Minister for Education. The court decided that judges could not tell the government how to spend its money. This was about the "separation of powers," meaning different parts of the government (like judges, lawmakers, and the executive) have separate jobs.
Reforming the Courts
From 1995 to 1998, Susan Denham led a group that looked at how the courts were organized. This group's work led to a big change: the creation of the Courts Service. The Courts Service helps manage all the courts in Ireland. She was on the board of the Courts Service and even chaired it from 2001 to 2004.
She also led a committee that suggested creating a special "commercial court" within the High Court in 2002. This court would handle big business disputes.
From 2006, she worked on setting up a new Court of Appeal. This court was finally created in 2014 after people voted for it in a special vote called a referendum. The Court of Appeal helps handle cases that are appealed from lower courts, making the legal system faster.
European Legal Work
Susan Denham also played a role in connecting Irish courts with others in Europe. She helped create the European Network of Councils for the Judiciary (ENCJ). She was also the President of the Network of the Presidents of the Supreme Judicial Courts of the European Union from 2015 to 2016. This group brings together the top judges from countries in the European Union.
Chief Justice of Ireland
On July 4, 2011, Susan Denham was chosen to become the Chief Justice of Ireland. She was officially appointed by President Mary McAleese on July 25, 2011. This was a historic moment because she was the first woman to hold this top judicial position. She was also the first Chief Justice who was not Catholic and the first to have graduated from Trinity College Dublin.
As Chief Justice, she brought in some important changes. For example, she oversaw the removal of the rule that judges had to wear wigs in court. In 2015, the Supreme Court held a hearing outside Dublin for the first time in many years, sitting in Cork. She also made sure the Four Courts building, where the courts are, had proper heating.
In November 2011, she oversaw the ceremony where Michael D. Higgins became President of Ireland.
She retired from her role in July 2017. Judge Frank Clarke took over from her. When she retired, she had been a Supreme Court judge for a very long time. She also spoke about the need for a "judicial council," which would help manage judges and their conduct.
After Retirement
In 2019, Trinity College Dublin made her an honorary fellow. This is a special award.
In August 2020, she was asked to review a situation involving another Supreme Court judge, Séamus Woulfe. This was about his attendance at a dinner during a time of public health rules.
Personal Life
Susan Denham is married to Dr Brian Denham, who is a doctor specializing in children's health. They have four children.
From 1996 to 2010, Susan Denham was a Pro-Chancellor of Trinity College, Dublin. This is an important role within the university.
