Former Law Society President (2012-13) James McCourt has been appointed to the Circuit Court, along with senior counsel Garrett Simons who goes to the High Court and solicitor John Hughes who is appointed to the District Court.

The names were announced by the government on 2 October 2018.

The vacancy in the High Court arises from the retirement of Mr Justice Paul Butler in September.

The vacancy in the Circuit Court arises from the retirement of Judge Michael O’Shea in July 2018 while the District Court vacancy arises from the retirement of Judge James O’Connor last June.

The Government has taken the necessary steps to formally advise President Higgins of the nominations in accordance with constitutional procedure.

Garrett Simons was educated at Trinity College Dublin and the King’s Inns. He was called to the Bar in 1996 and to the Inner Bar in 2007. He practises primarily in public administration law with an emphasis on environmental and planning law as well as immigration law

Enrolled in 1981

Solicitor James McCourt was educated at University College Dublin and the Law Society of Ireland. He was enrolled as a solicitor in August 1981.

A partner in O’Mara, Geraghty, McCourt, he is accredited mediator with wide experience in criminal law, family law, personal injuries, commercial litigation, employment litigation, landlord and tenant litigation and probate disputes.

Solicitor John Hughes was educated at DCU, NUI Galway and Harvard Law School. He was enrolled as a solicitor in 1996 and has been State Solicitor for County Offaly since 2013.

He is managing partner at Hughes, Kehoe & Co and practises primarily in criminal law, family law and litigation.