David Barniville is an Irish judge who has served as President of the High Court since July 2022 and a Judge of the High Court since July 2022, and previously from 2017 to 2021. He previously served as a Judge of the Court of Appeal from 2021 to 2022. He is also a former Chair of the Bar Council of Ireland. He is an ex officio member of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal.
Barniville was called to the Bar in July 1990 and became a Senior Counsel in October 2006.[6] He was called to the Bar of England and Wales in 2016.[4] He is a Bencher of the King's Inns and of Middle Temple.[7]
He was the chairman of the Bar Council of Ireland between 2014 and 2016.[6] He has also been a member of the Legal Services Regulatory Authority, the board of the Courts Service and of the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board and the Legal Aid Board.[7] In 2016, the Minister for Justice and EqualityFrances Fitzgerald sought clarifications from the Bar Council on the procedure of Barniville's appointment to the Legal Services Regulatory Authority. The Department of Justice and Equality was ultimately satisfied with the selection process.[14]
He was appointed a Judge of the High Court in December 2017.[15] He was the court's designated arbitration judge from June 2018.[7] As of 2020, he was the Judge in Charge of the Commercial List.[16][17]
In the High Court, he has presided over cases on matters including insolvency law,[18] injunctions,[19] defamation law,[20] and judicial review.[21] He was previously the Judge in Charge of the Strategic Infrastructure List,[7] hearing appeals of An Bord Pleanála decisions, including for developments at Saint Anne's Park and Cherrywood, Dublin.[22][23]
Barniville was nominated to become President of the High Court in June 2022, to succeed Mary Irvine on her retirement in July 2022.[27][1] He was appointed on 13 July 2022.[28][29]
Personal life
Barnville is married to Susan O'Connell and has three children.[26]