Irish Representation in International Arbitration | Bar of Ireland members approved to ICC Roles

The 10 appointees include two senior counsel and three junior counsel from the Irish Bar together with members of the Law Society of Ireland and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

This year, three of the five nominated individuals appointed to the Commission are women, marking a historic first for Irish women barristers in this role:

• Susan Ahern BL and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
• Lydia Bunni BL and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
• Meg Burke BL and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators

Returning from The Bar:

• Michael Collins SC

In addition, The Bar is honoured to announce the appointment of Patrick Leonard SC as Vice Chair and a Member of the Steering Committee of the ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR. A former member of the Executive Committee of Arbitration Ireland, Patrick practices in Commercial, and Public Law, regularly appears in both international and domestic arbitrations, and as leading counsel before the Irish Courts. He was called to the Bar in 1997 and took silk in 2013.

In response to his recent appointment, Patrick said,

I am honoured to be appointed as Vice Chair and a Member of the Steering Committee of the ICC Commission on Arbitration. This role presents a unique opportunity to contribute to the continued evolution of international arbitration and ADR, ensuring that our practices remain fair, efficient, and globally respected.

I look forward to collaborating with my Irish and international colleagues to advance the Commission’s mission and uphold its standards of excellence.

Chair of the Arbitration and ADR Committee and member of the ICC National Committee for Ireland, Cathy Smith SC said,

We are confident all appointees will bring experience and expertise to the ICC Commission, and their contributions will aid the Commission’s efforts to enhance global trade and dispute resolution.  

Congratulations to all the appointees. We look forward to their impactful work in the ICC Commission, furthering the mission of facilitating global trade through legal certainty.