Cabinet to choose new Chief Justice

AT its weekly Cabinet meeting this morning, the Government will put an end to months of speculation by choosing the new Chief Justice.

Two days after Ronan Keane steeped down from the position, there was strong speculation among legal circles that the contest to fill the most powerful judicial role in the land is between two senior judges.

They are existing Supreme Court Judge John Murray, a former Attorney General in a Fianna Fáil-led government, and the President of the High Court, Joseph Finnegan, who is known for his down-to-earth manner and his appetite for hard work.

Of the other leading contenders, Adrian Hardiman - whose formidable intellect has been very much in evidence since being elevated to the Supreme Court in 2000 - is seen as being perhaps too young and perhaps too close to the PDs.

Legal sources also indicated that Susan Denham - the most experienced of the seven ordinary Supreme Court judges - would be perceived as too liberal.

However, she is highly respected and her reforming work with the Courts Services has been warmly acknowledged by this Government. In addition, the appointment of the first female Chief Justice, who is also a Protestant, would sent out powerful signals.

“John Murray would be the obvious candidate,” a senior barrister told the Irish Examiner last night. “He has Fianna Fáil credentials and European experience. European law will play a greater role in Irish Courts in the future.”

Equally, Joseph Finnegan’s credentials would also be seen as impeccable and like Mr Justice Murray, he would be seen as a “safe pair of hands”, rather than a pioneering Chief Justice in the mould of Cearbhail Ó Dálaigh in the 1960s.

According to a senior legal source, politics is less relevant than it was.

“I think political considerations still come into play when barristers and solicitors are elevated to the judiciary. But when a judge is being appointed to a higher position, there will be more reliance on capability and hard work.

“Nevertheless, the position is Government-appointed. If you have better contacts, that can only help,” he said.