Two solicitors are among four new High Court judges and two new Circuit Court judges to be nominated by the Government.

Solicitors Jonathan Dunphy and Christopher Callan have been nominated as judges of the Circuit Court.

Chris Callan is a long-standing member of the Law Society Council and a partner in Callan Tansey, which has several regional offices.

UCD-educated solicitor Jonathan Dunphy qualified as a solicitor in 2002. He is a member of the Criminal Law Committee of the Law Society, and a sole practitioner at Jonathan Dunphy & Co Solicitors.

First tranche

The nominations complete the delivery of the first tranche of 24 additional judges on foot of the recommendations of the Judicial Planning Working Group.

The High Court appointees are:

• David Nolan SC,
• Denise Brett SC,
• Nuala Jackson SC, and
• Conleth Bradley SC.

Vacancies

Two vacancies arose due to the recent appointments of Mr Justice Charles Meenan and Ms Justice Tara Burns to the Court of Appeal.

One vacancy arose due to the retirement of Mr Justice Michael A Hanna in July.

One additional post was created following the enactment of the Courts Act 2023, which provides for the statutory complement of the judges of the High Court to be increased by six, from 42 to 48.