Network of Presidents Judcial Exchange Programme

 Justice Per Erik Bergsjø from the Supreme Court of Norway, and Justice Alessio Liberati from the Supreme Court of Italy in the Round Hall

Over the final week of May 2025, the Supreme Court welcomed two international Supreme Court judges on a study visit to Ireland as part of a judicial exchange programme offered under the Network of the Presidents of the Supreme Judicial Courts of the European Union.  The Court was delighted to host Justice Per Erik Bergsjø from the Supreme Court of Norway, and Justice Alessio Liberati from the Supreme Court of Italy to Dublin for a week of meetings, court hearings, and discussion.  

 Justice Bergsjø, Chief Justice O'Donnell, and Justice Liberati

The Network of Presidents  is an international network which is made up of the Presidents of the apex courts of general jurisdiction of each EU member state.  Chief Justice O’Donnell is currently a vice president of the Network.  The purpose of the network is to allow members to participate in meetings and exchange information and  consult with institutions of the EU on matters of shared concern.  Through the Network of Presidents, judges from European courts can participate in the judicial exchange programme which supports their travel to other member states to observe and study the law and legal procedure of other jurisdictions.  

Justice Bergsjø, Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy of the Court of Appeal (Criminal), and Justice Liberati

As part of their visit, the Judges learned about the Four Courts complex and its history, the procedure of the Supreme Court, and observed the adversarial common law system in action.  They also visited the Criminal Courts of Justice on Parkgate Street for a tour of the purpose-built facility.