Judge laments lack of women being appointed as liquidators and examiners

No woman appointed as a company examiner in past 30 years, judge notes

The Four Courts in Dublin.
The Four Courts in Dublin.

A High Court judge has lamented the fact no woman has been appointed as an examiner to any company since examinership was introduced here almost 30 years ago.

Mr Justice Robert Haughton, who manages the Commercial Court list in the High Court, stressed on Monday that he wants to strongly encourage the appointment of more women as court-appointed liquidators and examiners.

Noting no woman has been nominated for appointment as an examiner since examinership was introduced here in 1990, he said a “a prize” awaits the first law firm to nominate a female examiner.

Progress

The judge also noted progress is being made towards developing Ireland as a centre of excellence for commercial legal services and that the Courts Service website would shortly have a dedicated section concerning the Commercial Court.

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He made the comments when paying a warm tribute in a packed court to his “superb” judicial assistant of the past three years, Gemma McLoughlin-Burke, who is leaving the role having been called to the Bar. The judge said Ms McLoughlin-Burke had been key to a range of initiatives in the Commercial Court and has also just completed a book on sentencing law.

It had been a pleasure working with her, he wished her well into the future and his tribute was endorsed by the court's registrar, Niamh Dermody, the judge added.

Mary Carolan

Mary Carolan

Mary Carolan is the Legal Affairs Correspondent of the Irish Times