Susan Denham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Susan Denham
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| 11th 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 famous Irish judge. She was born Susan Jane Gageby on August 22, 1945. From 2011 to 2017, she served as the Chief Justice of Ireland. This means she was the most important judge in the country.
She was the first woman ever to hold this very important job. Before that, she was a judge in the Supreme Court of Ireland for 25 years. She also worked as a judge in the High Court.
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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 an editor for a newspaper called The Irish Times. Her grandfather was Seán Lester, a well-known diplomat.
She studied law at Trinity College Dublin, King's Inns, and Columbia University in New York City. While she was a student, she helped start the Archaeology and Folklife Society at Trinity College. She also helped with the Free Legal Advice Centres. These centers give legal help to people who cannot afford it.
Becoming a Lawyer
Susan Denham became a lawyer in July 1971. This means she was allowed to argue cases in court. In 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.
She worked as a lawyer in the middle of Ireland until 1979. After that, she worked in Dublin. She was involved in many important cases. She was especially good at cases called "judicial review." This is when a court checks if a government decision was made fairly and legally.
Her Time as a Judge
High Court and Supreme Court Roles
In 1991, Susan Denham became a judge in the High Court. The High Court deals with serious cases. Just one year later, in 1992, she made history. At 47 years old, she became the first woman to be appointed to the Supreme Court of Ireland. The Supreme Court is the highest court in Ireland.
People often saw her as a "liberal" judge. This means she often made decisions that were open to new ideas and focused on fairness for individuals.
From 1995 to 1998, she led a group that looked at how the courts were organized. This group helped create the Courts Service. The Courts Service helps run all the courts in Ireland. She also helped set up a special "commercial court" within the High Court. This court deals with business disputes.
Later, she led another group that suggested creating a new Court of Appeal. This court was finally set up in 2014. It helps to hear appeals from the High Court, making the legal system more efficient.
Susan Denham also worked with judges from other European countries. She helped create the European Network of Councils for the Judiciary. She also led the Network of the Presidents of the Supreme Judicial Courts of the European Union. This shows her important role in law beyond Ireland.
Becoming Chief Justice
On July 4, 2011, Susan Denham was chosen to become the Chief Justice of Ireland. She was officially appointed on July 25, 2011. This was a huge moment because she was the first woman to hold this top judicial job. She was also the first Chief Justice who was not Catholic. She was also the first graduate of Trinity College Dublin to become Chief Justice.
As Chief Justice, she made some important changes. She oversaw the removal of the requirement for judges to wear wigs in court. This made the courts feel more modern. In 2015, the Supreme Court even held sittings outside Dublin for the first time in many years. This made the court more accessible to people around the country.
She also made sure the court buildings were in good condition. She even spoke up about the heating problems in the Four Courts building. She also helped plan for a new courtroom for the Supreme Court.
In November 2011, she had a special role. She oversaw the swearing-in ceremony for President Michael D. Higgins. This happened at Dublin Castle.
Susan Denham retired in July 2017. She was one of the longest-serving Supreme Court judges ever. When she retired, she spoke about the need for a "judicial council." This council would help guide judges and improve the justice system.
After Retirement
In 2019, Trinity College Dublin made her an honorary fellow. This is a special award for people who have achieved great things.
In 2020, she was asked to review a situation involving another Supreme Court judge. She looked into whether the judge had followed rules when attending a dinner. This showed that even after retirement, her experience and fairness were still highly valued.
Personal Life
Susan Denham is married to Dr. Brian Denham, who is a doctor for children. They have four children together.
From 1996 to 2010, she was a Pro-Chancellor of Trinity College, Dublin. This is a senior role in the university.
