The Supreme Court

Full Court Rule

Order 119 - Mode of Address of Judges; Robes of Bench

1.[1] (1) The Chief Justice, the President of the Court of Appeal and the President of the High Court shall be addressed, in Court, by their respective titles in Irish or English and other Judges of the Superior Courts shall be addressed, in Court, individually, in Irish, as “A Bhreithimh” or, in English, as “Judge”. Judges of the Superior Courts may be referred to, in Irish, as “An Chúirt” or, in English, as “The Court”.

(2) This Rule does not affect the existing practice by which Judges of the Superior Courts shall be addressed or referred to, other than in Court, by their respective titles and names, in Irish or in English.

2. (1) Save as otherwise provided by Statute or these Rules, on all occasions during the sittings:

(a) the Judges of the Supreme Court shall wear a black woollen gown of uniform make with sleeves bearing green double ribbon banding and a single white neck tab,

(b) the Judges of the Court of Appeal shall wear such costume as is directed by the President of the Court of Appeal;

(c) the Judges of the High Court (including when sitting as the Central Criminal Court) shall wear a black gown of uniform nature and material with sleeves bearing a deep purple ribbon banding with gold trim and a single white neck tab.

(2) A Judge appointed to the High Court before the coming into operation of this sub-rule may alternatively wear a black coat and vest of uniform make and material of the kind worn by Senior Counsel, a black Irish poplin gown and white bands.

(3) A Judge shall not be required to wear a wig of a ceremonial type during such sittings.


[1] Order 119 substituted in full by SI 495 of 2020, effective 10 November 2020.