Former CCBE President James MacGuill has passed away

The Ukrainian National Bar Association expresses its condolences on the passing of James MacGuill — a renowned Irish advocate and former president of the Law Society of Ireland and the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE).

The UNBA announced the death of James MacGuill through CCBE Secretary General Simone Cuomo.

James MacGuill was from Dundalk in County Louth. In 1983, he earned his law degree from University College Cork, and in 1986, he was admitted to the roll of solicitors. Throughout his professional career, he practiced litigation, specializing primarily in public and criminal law and the defense of human rights. He was the managing partner of the law firm MacGuill and Company.

He worked for many years at the Law Society of Ireland, chaired its Committees on criminal law, human rights, professional liability insurance and finance, and served as president of the organization from 2007 to 2008. In 2020, James MacGuill became one of the first Irish solicitors to be appointed Senior Counsel.

He joined the CCBE in 2008. He led the Irish delegation twice, chaired the CCBE Criminal Law Committee for six years, and joined the organization’s Presidium in 2019. In 2022, James MacGuill was elected president of the CCBE.

Support for Ukrainian advocacy held a special place in James MacGuill’s international activities. After the start of Russia’s full-scale aggression, he consistently expressed solidarity with his Ukrainian colleagues. In September 2022, James MacGuill attended a special meeting of the Bar Council of Ukraine in Mukachevo, where the work of advocacy under martial law was discussed.

During his presidency, the CCBE awarded the 2022 Human Rights Prize to the Ukrainian National Bar Association of Ukraine. James MacGuill emphasized the important role of an independent bar in protecting citizens’ rights, ensuring the rule of law and Ukraine’s future recovery.

In January 2026, James MacGuill joined as an international expert in the work on implementing the Roadmap on the Rule of Law regarding the reform of the advocacy sector.

The Ukrainian National Bar Association extends its sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of James MacGuill, as well as to his colleagues in Ireland and the European legal community.

«This is devastating news for the entire European legal community, and it is received with particular sorrow in Ukraine. James was a true and great friend to our country. He led the CCBE during the darkest days of 2022, when the full-scale invasion began, and from the very first hours stood shoulder to shoulder with Ukrainian lawyers — with clarity, courage, and unwavering solidarity. His visit to Ukraine during the war in support of our advocates will forever remain a part of our profession’s history. He demonstrated what leadership in the legal profession truly means: standing by one’s colleagues when it matters most, - noted the Vice President of the UNBA, BCU Valentin Gvozdiy. - In addition to his outstanding contributions to the CCBE, we will remember James for his warmth, humor, generosity, and genuine humanity. Ukrainian lawyers have lost a friend they will never forget».