The Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland, written jointly by Dr Conor McCormick and Professor Brice Dickson, was launched in the Inn of Court of Northern Ireland at the Royal Courts of Justice Belfast on Monday 18th November by the Lady Chief Justice Dame Siobhan Keegan and Sir Donnell Deeny, a retired judge of the Court of Appeal.
Dr Conor McCormick in introducing the evening outlined the genesis of the volume stemming from initial research for a paper on the work of the Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland, delivered at UCD to mark the 10th Anniversary of the Court of Appeal in Ireland. He and Professor Dickson had then expanded their work to cover the first 100 years of the Northern Ireland Court
Their book is a volume in the ‘Bristol Shorts Research’ Series from Bristol University Press. It provides a comprehensive account and description of the work of the Court since its inception but predominantly over the last 25 years. In her remarks, the Lady Chief Justice complimented the authors on their endeavours and noted how the volume would provide a more permanent record than press reports and would better inform those reporting on the work of the court.
The Lady Chief Justice highlighted many topics addressed by the authors. She noted particularly how the work of the Court paralleled developments in society and that the Court of Appeal is now a supervising body for regulatory and other tribunals in addition to its role in respect the High and lower courts. This work requires that the members of the court keep abreast of those developments in Society with ever wider knowledge. She also highlighted the development of Constitutional Law over the last 25 years.
Sir Donnell Deeny in commending the volume spoke from his experience as a retired judge of the Court. He said the book would provide answers to points of practice which will be of value to new practitioners and experienced advocates. He noted how the authors examined the High Court for (All) Ireland, established under the Government of Ireland Act 1920 but swept away in consequence of the Treaty of December 1921. Sir Donnell also provided an interesting analysis of the record of those sitting on the court including the outcome of appeals to the House of Lords and the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom.
Professor Dickson concluded the proceedings by outlining the contents of the volume and its methodology which, with its useful appendices and index, runs to 186 pages. He concluded by thanking those who had supported their research and assisted with its publication.
