MORE THAN 258 appeals from the High Court will be transferred to the new Court of Appeal.

The Court of Appeal Act which was signed into law by President Higgins in July after the Irish public approved its established through a referendum.

At its meeting today, the Government nominated a judge of the High Court as President of the Court of Appeal, as well as, seven judges of the High Court and one judge of the Circuit Court as ordinary judges of the Court of Appeal as follows:

• The Hon. Mr. Justice Sean Ryan, President
• The Hon. Mr. Justice Peter Kelly
• The Hon. Ms. Justice Mary Finlay Geoghegan
• The Hon. Mr. Justice Michael Peart
• The Hon. Mr. Justice George Birmingham
• The Hon. Ms. Justice Mary Irvine
• The Hon. Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan
• The Hon. Mr. Justice Gerard Hogan
• His Hon. Judge Alan Mahon

A ninth ordinary judge vacancy still needs to be filled.

Speaking this afternoon, the Chief Justice, Justice Susan Denham said the court is an important development “as it establishes a new jurisdictional tier between the High Court and the Supreme Court, so that delays in the appellate system may be addressed”.

A general right of appeal from the High Court to the Supreme Court will now be replaced by a general right of appeal to the Court of Appeal. An appeal to the Supreme Court will lie from decisions of the Court of Appeal and the High Court where the Supreme Court is satisfied that the relevant jurisdictional thresholds set out.

It is expected the new court will sit for the first time next week.

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