Judge’s ruling ‘will make Mr White a happy man’

A High Court judge has said he believes his forthcoming judgment on an action by retired judge Barry White, aimed at resuming practice as a criminal defence barrister, “will make Mr White a very happy man”.

Mr Justice Max Barrett made the comment when reserving judgment yesterday on the action by Mr White when it concluded after a four-day hearing.

Mr White, 71, who retired in 2014 after 12 years as a High Court judge, claims a Bar Council rule, and alleged impermissible application of that rule by the minister for justice so as to exclude him from the panel of barristers eligible for criminal legal aid work, breach his constitutional rights to work and earn a livelihood.