Marie Baker
Irish Court of Appeal judge since 2018
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Marie Baker (born 6 February 1954) is an Irish judge who served as a Judge of the Supreme Court from 2019 to 2024, a Judge of the Court of Appeal from 2018 to 2019, and a Judge of the High Court from 2014 to 2018.
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Marie Baker | |
|---|---|
Baker in 2014 | |
| Judge of the Supreme Court | |
| In office 2 December 2019 – 15 April 2024[1] | |
| Nominated by | Government of Ireland |
| Appointed by | Michael D. Higgins |
| Judge of the Court of Appeal | |
| In office 28 June 2018 – 2 December 2019 | |
| Nominated by | Government of Ireland |
| Appointed by | Michael D. Higgins |
| Judge of the High Court | |
| In office 8 January 2014 – 28 June 2018 | |
| Nominated by | Government of Ireland |
| Appointed by | Michael D. Higgins |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 6 February 1954 Dublin, Ireland |
| Alma mater | |
Early career
Baker was educated at University College Cork, where she received BA, MA and BCL degrees.[2] She later attended and studied at the King's Inns and became a barrister in 1984 and a senior counsel in 2004.[3] Her practice predominantly focused on commercial law, conveyancing, family law and litigation.[3] She specialised on cases involving the National Asset Management Agency towards the end of her career as a barrister.[4] She was a member of the Study Group on Pre-nuptial Agreements, which reported to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform in 2007.[5] She has previously acted as a part-time commissioner of the Law Reform Commission and lectured in several areas of law.[6]
Judicial career
High Court
She was appointed to the High Court in January 2014.[7] She sat in on a three-judge division of the High Court in December 2014 in the case of PP v. HSE.[8]
Court of Appeal
Baker was elevated to the Court of Appeal in June 2018.[9] She holds a statutory position as the designated judge for the purpose of two acts: the Interception of Postal Packets and Telecommunications Messages (Regulation) Act 1993 and the Communications (Retention of Data) Act 2011. In this role she produces an annual report for the Oireachtas.[10] She also communicates with the Taoiseach in relation to privacy and interception of communications issues.[11]
Supreme Court
She was appointed to the Supreme Court in December 2019.[12] Her appointment followed the retirement of Susan Denham in 2018.[13] Her first sitting on the court occurred on 16 January 2020, marking the first time four women had sat together on the Supreme Court.[14]
Baker is the Assigned Judge for the Irish courts to supervise the use of personal data while courts act in their judicial capacity.[15]
Electoral Commission
Baker also serves as chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Ireland. Chief Justice Donal O'Donnell appointed her to that position when the commission was established in 2023.[16]