The elevation of Liam McKechnie to High Court judge this week creates a vacancy as chairman of the Bar Council. McKechnie, a low-profile chairman, was elected a little over a year ago in a tight contest and, as is customary, was reinstated for a second year by the Council in July.
Next week, the 20-strong council, itself elected by the Law Library, will decide on a new chairman and two candidates have emerged in advance of nominations closing on Monday - Rory Brady SC and Fergal Foley BL.
Should Foley succeed, he would be the first non-SC to hold the prestigious post.
