Marie Baker (born 6 February 1954) is an Irish judge who served as a Judge of the Supreme Court from 2019 to 2024, a Judge of the Court of Appeal from 2018 to 2019, and a Judge of the High Court from 2014 to 2018.
Marie Baker | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Baker in 2014 | |
| Judge of the Supreme Court | |
| In office 2 December 2019 – 15 April 2024[1] | |
| Nominated by | Government of Ireland |
| Appointed by | Michael D. Higgins |
| Judge of the Court of Appeal | |
| In office 28 June 2018 – 2 December 2019 | |
| Nominated by | Government of Ireland |
| Appointed by | Michael D. Higgins |
| Judge of the High Court | |
| In office 8 January 2014 – 28 June 2018 | |
| Nominated by | Government of Ireland |
| Appointed by | Michael D. Higgins |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 6 February 1954 Dublin, Ireland |
| Alma mater | |
Early career
editBaker was educated at University College Cork, where she received BA, MA and BCL degrees.[2] She later attended and studied at the King's Inns and became a barrister in 1984 and a senior counsel in 2004.[3] Her practice predominantly focused on commercial law, conveyancing, family law and litigation.[3] She specialised on cases involving the National Asset Management Agency towards the end of her career as a barrister.[4] She was a member of the Study Group on Pre-nuptial Agreements, which reported to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform in 2007.[5] She has previously acted as a part-time commissioner of the Law Reform Commission and lectured in several areas of law.[6]
Judicial career
editHigh Court
editShe was appointed to the High Court in January 2014.[7] She sat in on a three-judge division of the High Court in December 2014 in the case of PP v. HSE.[8]
Court of Appeal
editBaker was elevated to the Court of Appeal in June 2018.[9] She holds a statutory position as the designated judge for the purpose of two acts: the Interception of Postal Packets and Telecommunications Messages (Regulation) Act 1993 and the Communications (Retention of Data) Act 2011. In this role she produces an annual report for the Oireachtas.[10] She also communicates with the Taoiseach in relation to privacy and interception of communications issues.[11]
Supreme Court
editShe was appointed to the Supreme Court in December 2019.[12] Her appointment followed the retirement of Susan Denham in 2018.[13] Her first sitting on the court occurred on 16 January 2020, marking the first time four women had sat together on the Supreme Court.[14]
Baker is the Assigned Judge for the Irish courts to supervise the use of personal data while courts act in their judicial capacity.[15]
Electoral Commission
editBaker also serves as chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Ireland. Chief Justice Donal O'Donnell appointed her to that position when the commission was established in 2023.[16]
References
edit- ^ "Tribute to Ms Justice Marie Baker" (PDF).
- ^ "Who's Who in Law". UCC School of Law. Archived from the original on 23 June 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
- ^ a b "Appointments to the High Court". Irish Government News Service. Archived from the original on 16 May 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
- ^ Sheehy, Clodagh (9 January 2014). "Court in succession: Family affair at Aras as judges appointed". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 29 June 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
- ^ "Report of Study Group on Pre-nuptial Agreements Published". Department of Justice and Equality. Archived from the original on 19 October 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
- ^ Bohan, Christine (8 January 2014). "Here are the three new judges appointed to the High Court today". TheJournal.ie. Archived from the original on 16 May 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
- ^ "President Appoints Judges of the High Court". President.ie. Archived from the original on 16 May 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
- ^ Baker, Noel; Managh, Ray (23 December 2014). "Unborn baby gets barrister for court battle". Irish Examiner. Archived from the original on 31 March 2016. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
- ^ "President appoints new Judges". President.ie. Archived from the original on 12 May 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
- ^ "Ms Justice Baker calls for urgent revision of data retention laws". Irish Legal News. 22 October 2018. Archived from the original on 23 September 2021. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
- ^ "Interception of Postal Packets and Telecommunications Messages (Regulation) Act, 1993". Irish Statute Book. Archived from the original on 8 December 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
- ^ "Diary President Appoints Judges To The Supreme Court And The High Court Dec 2019". president.ie. Office of the President of Ireland. Archived from the original on 10 December 2020. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
- ^ "Judges nominated for appointment to Supreme, Circuit and District Courts". Law Society Gazette. 27 November 2019. Archived from the original on 3 December 2019. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
- ^ "Supreme Court sits with four women judges in landmark moment". Irish Legal News. Archived from the original on 16 January 2020. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
- ^ "Data Protection Complaints Procedure". Courts.ie. Archived from the original on 20 July 2020. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
- ^ "Members of the Commission". The Electoral Commission. Retrieved 4 November 2023.