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Courts Service Board

The Courts Service is governed by a Board consisting of a chairperson and seventeen other members.

Table of contents

Functions of the Board

The function of the Board is to:

  • consider and determine policy in relation to the Service; and
  • oversee the implementation of that policy by the Chief Executive Officer.

Membership

  • The Hon. Ms. Justice Elizabeth Dunne — Judge of the Supreme Court; Chairperson of the Board
  • The Hon. Ms. Justice Caroline Costello — President of the Court of Appeal
  • The Hon. Mr. Justice David Barniville — President of the High Court
  • The Hon. Mr. Justice Seamus Woulfe — Elected by the ordinary judges of the Supreme Court
  • The Hon. Ms. Justice Tara Burns — Elected by the ordinary judges of the Court of Appeal
  • The Hon. Mr. Justice Tony O'Connor — Elected by the ordinary judges of the High Court
  • The Hon. Ms. Justice Patricia Ryan — President of the Circuit Court
  • His Honour Judge Keenan Johnson — Elected by the ordinary judges of the Circuit Court
  • His Honour Judge Paul Kelly — President of the District Court
  • Judge Alan Mitchell — Elected by the judges of the District Court
  • Ms. Angela Denning — Chief Executive Officer of the Courts Service
  • Mr. Sean Guerin — Chair of the Bar Council of Ireland
  • Mr. Stuart Gilhooly — Nominee of the Law Society of Ireland
  • Mr. Derek Bunyan — Elected by the staff of the Service
  • Ms. Rachel Woods — Official of the Department of Justice and Equality, nominated by the Minister
  • Ms. Sarah Benson — Nominated by the Minister to represent consumers of court services
  • Mr. Owen Reidy — General Secretary, nominated by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions
  • Mr. Noel Beecher — Nominated by the Minister for relevant knowledge/experience in commerce, finance or administration

Committees

The Board has established a number of committees which support it in carrying out its functions:

  • Finance Committee
  • Building Committee
  • Family Law Court Development Committee
  • Audit and Risk Committee

Further information on the Board and its committees is contained in the Courts Service Governance Framework.

Board governance

The following documents set out the structure, composition, remit, powers, authority, membership and operating procedures of the Board, and the standards expected of members:

Board meetings

The Courts Service Board usually schedules five to six meetings each year. Additional meetings are arranged as required.

A note of matters considered and decisions made at Board meetings is published below.

Minutes by year

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

  • Published at: