Hon’ble Mr. Justice Gerard Hogan, Judge, Supreme Court of Ireland Visits NLSIU

We were honoured to host Hon’ble Mr. Justice Gerard Hogan, Judge, Supreme Court of Ireland, and his wife, Ms. Karen Quirk, at the NLSIU campus on April 3, 2025. During his visit, Justice Hogan delivered an insightful lecture titled ‘Findings of Unconstitutionality in India, Ireland and the US’. The talk was followed by a Q&A session.

In his lecture, Justice Hogan took a comparative look at the Constitutions of the three countries. He pointed out differences such as the basic structure doctrine in the Indian Constitution, as opposed to the Irish Grundnorm referendums. He also brought to light the differences in the way the terms ‘void’ and ‘invalid’ are used and interpreted across judgements and questioned what happens to a law when it is declared unconstitutional. He concluded his lecture by quoting B.N. Rau, constitutional advisor to the Constituent Assembly of India, with the statement, “Indian and Irish Constitutions are close cousins who ought to know each other much better.”

Speaking to us, Justice Hogan said: “I’m a huge admirer of the Indian Constitution and of the jurisprudence of the Indian Supreme Court and the role that it’s played in Indian society. And, you know, it is a privilege, and I’m humbled to be here.”

“This is my first visit to NLSIU and my second visit to India. The students were so impressive –  they were so engaged, remained so patient, and asked such great questions, some of which were difficult!”

As part of his visit, Justice Hogan had a meeting with the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar of the University along with the various Programme heads, interacted with the Public Law faculty cluster over an informal lunch, and went on a guided tour of the University campus.

Prior to visiting NLS, Justice Hogan also spent time in New Delhi where he met with Hon’ble Mr. Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Chief Justice, Supreme Court of India.

About Hon’ble Justice Gerard Hogan

Justice Hogan was appointed to the Supreme Court of Ireland in October 2021.

A native of Tipperary, Justice Hogan was educated at University College Dublin, the University of Pennsylvania, The Honorary Society of King’s Inns, and Trinity College. He was called to the Bar of Ireland in 1984 and to the Inner Bar in 1997.

Justice Hogan previously served as a judge of the High Court from 2010 to 2014, as a judge of the Court of Appeal from 2014 to 2018, and as Advocate General of the Court of Justice of the European Union from 2019 to 2021. (Source: Supreme Court of Ireland website)

In the media

The Hindu | CJI Sanjiv Khanna welcomes Irish Supreme Court Judge Justice Gerard Hogan

ET LegalWorld | CJI Sanjiv Khanna welcomes Irish SC judge Justice Gerard Hogan

Deccan Herald | CJI Sanjiv Khanna welcomes Irish Supreme Court judge Justice Gerard Hogan

News18 हिंदी | आयरलैंड के जज जेरार्ड हॉगन ने भारतीय सुप्रीम कोर्ट का दौरा किया.

Daily Excelsior | CJI Sanjiv Khanna welcomes Irish SC judge Justice Gerard Hogan

LawChakra | Irish Supreme Court Judge Justice Gerard Hogan Visits India’s Supreme Court

Gallery