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Maurice Gerard Collins[1] is an Irish judge and lawyer who has served as a Judge of the Supreme Court of Ireland since November 2022. He previously served as a Judge of the Court of Appeal from 2019 to 2022.

Early life

Collins is from Clonakilty in County Cork. He is the grandnephew of Michael Collins. He completed a BA in English Literature and Philosophy at University College Cork and later attended the King's Inns.[2]

Legal career

He was called to the Bar in 1989 and became a senior counsel in 2003.[3] He is a former chair of the Incorporated Council for Law Reporting and became a bencher of the King's Inns in 2017.[3][2]

Collins had a broad practice while at the bar. He frequently represented the State in public law matters. He appeared for the State in a challenge taken by Brian Mohan to the constitutionality of parliamentary gender quota legislation and an action initiated by Jolyon Maugham to try to prevent Brexit through the High Court.[4][5]

His practice included commercial matters and disputes. He represented parties opposite Rory McIlroy and Dunnes Stores.[6][7] He also appeared in actions involving medical negligence.[8]

He appeared for Ireland in 2019 in the EU's General Court in appeal to the European Commission's decision arising from the EU illegal State aid case against Apple in Ireland.[9]

Judicial career

Court of Appeal

He became a Judge of the Court of Appeal in November 2019.[10] His appointment arose out of a vacancy was created due to the retirement of Michael Peart.[11]

Law Reform Commission

Collins was appointed to the Law Reform Commission as a part-time commissioner for a five-year term in October 2020.[12]

Supreme Court

Collins was nominated and appointed to the Supreme Court of Ireland in November 2022.[13][14][15]

Personal life

He is married to Nora Rice.[2] They are patrons of the National Gallery of Ireland.[16]

References

  1. ^ "Applicant for leave to review planning decision mustshow substantial grounds and substantial interest". The Irish Times. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  2. ^ a b c "Clonakilty's Maurice is one of seven new judges". The Southern Star. Archived from the original on 5 August 2020. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Appointments to the Court of Appeal". www.justice.ie. Archived from the original on 17 December 2019. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  4. ^ "Court reserves judgement on challenge to link between political funding and gender quotas". www.irishexaminer.com. 25 July 2017. Archived from the original on 23 November 2017. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  5. ^ "Legal challenge to Brexit struck out". www.irishexaminer.com. 29 May 2017. Archived from the original on 21 November 2017. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  6. ^ "Claim that Wozniacki told McIlroy that UNICEF donation was "stupid" - News". Irish Golf Desk. Archived from the original on 25 April 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  7. ^ "Dunnes Stores winding up order withdrawn". RTÉ News. 14 December 2012. Archived from the original on 12 November 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  8. ^ Traynor, Vivienne (18 October 2019). "I expected nausea not narcolepsy, father tells court". RTÉ News. Archived from the original on 28 September 2020. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  9. ^ Brennan, Joe. "Ireland set for courtroom showdown over €13bn Apple tax case". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 31 December 2019. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  10. ^ "Diary President Appoints Judges To The Court Of Appeal". president.ie. Archived from the original on 3 December 2019. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  11. ^ "First solicitor appointed to the High Court retires after 17 years on the bench". Irish Legal News. Archived from the original on 8 December 2019. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  12. ^ "Three commissioners appointed to LRC". www.lawsociety.ie. Archived from the original on 1 December 2020. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
  13. ^ "Mr Justice Maurice Collins appointed to Supreme Court". www.lawsociety.ie. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  14. ^ "Courts Service set to receive additional resources for new High Court division". The Irish Times. 2 November 2022. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  15. ^ "Diary President Appoints Judges To The Supreme Court And The High Court 29 11 22". president.ie. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
  16. ^ "Current Patrons". National Gallery of Ireland. Archived from the original on 15 July 2020. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
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