Maura McNally (pictured) has been elected as chair of the council of the Bar of Ireland, and becomes the second female head of the barristers’ body. She takes up the post for a year, beginning on 1 August.

A Leitrim native, she was called to the Bar in 1992, and practised on Circuit until her appointment to the Inner Bar in 2017.

Challenges

Following post-graduate studies in Warwick University (LLM), and UCG (BA & LLB), she completed her Barrister at Law in King’s Inns and practises civil law, mainly in personal injury, chancery and non-jury.

“There are significant challenges on the horizon for the profession and the wider justice field, not least the fallout from COVID-19, as well as Brexit,” the new Bar Council chair said.

Partners

She added that strengthening relationships with external partners in Ireland, the UK and Europe would be an important part of finding solutions, identifying opportunities and ensuring a sustainable Bar.

The first woman to hold the position was the late Ms Justice Mella Carroll, who was first elected 41 years ago.