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William Martin McKechnie (born 16 April 1951) is an Irish judge who has served as a Judge of the Supreme Court of Ireland since March 2010. He previously served as Judge of the High Court from 2000 to 2010.
Early life
He was born in 1951 and educated at Presentation Brothers College, Cork. He graduated from University College Cork in 1971 with a BCL degree and the King's Inns in 1972. He holds a Master's degree in European law from University College Dublin.
Legal career
He was called to the Bar in 1972. He became a Senior Counsel in October 1987, on the same day as future Supreme Court colleagues Susan Denham and Mary Laffoy. His practice focused on commercial law, medical negligence, chancery law and the law related to local authorities.
He was elected chairman of the Bar Council in 1999, and was elected again in 2000. He was the vice chairman in 1993 and 1997. He is a Bencher of the King's Inns.
Judicial career
High Court
McKechnie was appointed as a Judge of the High Court in 2000. He presided over competition matters in the High Court from 2004 to 2010. He also sat as a judge in the Special Criminal Court.
In the High Court, McKechnie made Ireland's first declaration of incompatibility under the European Convention on Human Rights Act 2003 in Foy v An t-Ard Chláraitheoir.
In 2010, he was elected President of the Association of European Competition Law Judges, which represents judges from each of the European Union member states.
Supreme Court
In June 2010, he was nominated to the Supreme Court of Ireland, following the retirement of Hugh Geoghegan. He was appointed by President of Ireland Mary McAleese in July 2010.