Maria Watson BL

Maria Watson is a practising barrister in both civil and criminal law, with a particular specialism in medical law. Her expertise in this area is underpinned by a decade of prior experience in healthcare, having served five years each at St. Vincent’s University Hospital and St. James’s Hospital. This unique background affords Maria a deep understanding of the complexities inherent in medical legal matters, which she brings to her practice at the Bar.

Called to the Bar in 2016, Maria has since established a broad and dynamic practice. She appears regularly before the District, Circuit, and High Courts, representing a diverse range of clients. Her civil litigation work encompasses commercial and equitable disputes, defamation actions, high-value matrimonial cases, and applications involving domestic violence and coercive control, often acting for individuals in high-profile positions. Maria is also experienced in professional negligence claims, ward of court and capacity law applications, and regulatory matters concerning the medical profession and members of An Garda Síochána. Her practice further extends to liquor licensing and employment law.

In the criminal courts, Maria’s experience ranges from minor road traffic offences to complex cases involving human trafficking, money laundering, and organised crime. She has contributed to numerous high-profile criminal trials, including those involving murder, and regularly appears in jury trials and before the Central Criminal Court.

Maria’s commitment to legal excellence and reform is reflected in her appointment in 2018 to the Expert Group on Tort Reform and Management of Clinical Negligence Claims, where she contributed to the development of policy and best practice in clinical negligence litigation. In 2017, she was awarded a prestigious legal fellowship by the Bar of Ireland, enabling her to work with the Wisconsin Innocence Project in the United States, where she assisted on death row cases.

Most recently, Maria was honoured to have been named the 2025 Liberator Scholar by The Bar of Ireland, a highly competitive award commemorating the 250th anniversary of Daniel O’Connell’s birth. This accolade provided her with a fully funded place at the prestigious Harvard Programme on Negotiation, further enhancing her skills in mediation, negotiation, and dispute resolution.

Maria was also called to the Eastern District of Texas Bar as a Foreign Legal Consultant from 2019 to 2020, broadening her international legal experience.

Maria Watson’s practice is marked by her rigorous advocacy, specialist knowledge in medical law, and her ongoing commitment to legal reform and professional development. She is recognised for her ability to navigate complex legal issues with clarity and precision, making her a trusted adviser to both individual and institutional clients.

Maria Watson is honoured to have been named the 2025 Liberator Scholar by The Bar of Ireland. This prestigious award, bestowed only once to mark the 250th anniversary of Daniel O’Connell’s birth, recognises a barrister who sought to highlight the current day relevance of O’Connell’s legacy and lessons for the future.

Maria was selected following a nationwide call for submissions from Law Library members Years 5 – 10, inviting reflections on the legacy of O’Connell. The distinguished judging panel comprised Dr. Mary McAleese, Dr. Martin McAleese, and retired Mr. Justice John MacMenamin. Maria’s winning essay, “The current day relevance of Daniel O’Connell’s life and legacy and lessons for the future,” drew powerful links between O’Connell’s legacy and modern-day struggles for justice, highlighting the importance of courage, compassion, and constitutional activism.

The scholarship was formally conferred at a celebratory gathering in the Law Library, Dublin. Former President of Ireland, Dr Mary McAleese, announced Maria’s success to an audience of judges, practitioners and invited guests, Maria was presented a special medal by Sir Maurice O’Connell, a direct descendant of Daniel O’Connell.

The scholarship offers a fully funded place for a barrister to attend the prestigious Harvard Programme on Negotiation, a unique world-class programme in negotiation and dispute resolution.

The Liberator Scholarship was made possible by the generous sponsorship of members of The Bar of Ireland and with the support of the Bar Council’s ADR Committee. It reflects the profession’s commitment to nurturing leadership grounded in justice, ethical advocacy and the peaceful resolution of disputes.

The event forms part of The Bar of Ireland’s wider commemorative activities, including participation in the O’Connell 250 Symposium: Liberty, Democracy, and the Struggle for Human Rights, in association with Trinity College Dublin, The Daniel O’Connell Summer School, and Glasnevin Cemetery.

Medical Law – Ward of Court

Detention Order required for a patient of St. James’s Hosptial with a brain bleed to continue medical treatment.

Tort & Personal Injury Law

“Relentless Rouge” a long-lasting lipstick which caused a 6 year old boy to sustain an acute allergic reaction leaving a mark on his forehead for two months.

Criminal Law – Human Trafficking

DPP v. Lucky Enogheghase – Maria Watson B.L. lead by Michael Lynn S.C. represented Mr. Enogheghase.

Criminal Law – Death Row – Shaken Baby Syndrome

Jeffrey Havard v. State of Mississippi  – a ‘Shaken Baby’ death penalty case with the Wisconsin Innocence Project. Maria worked with the US Attorneys in preparation for post conviction relief. This required Maria reviewing complex medical evidence and forensic pathology  and expert witness preparation. The sentence for death was vacated and a new sentence was ordered; life without parole.

General Publications

Daniel O’Connell   “The Liberator” – “The current day relevance of Daniel O’Connell’s life and legacy and lessons for the future” by Maria Watson BL The Bar of Ireland 23 July 2025

Damage Limitation – “Review of the Supreme Court decision in Morrissey v. HSE; standard of care to be applied in professional negligence cases involving cancer screening”, by Sara Moorhead SC & Maria Watson BL The Bar Review – Journal of the Bar of Ireland, (Vol. 25 No. 4,  July 2020) 

Just What The Doctor Ordered – “Open disclosure in patient safety incidents”
Law Society Gazette (May 2019) 

P.P. v. HSE: An Irish abortion case that never was
www.lawyer.ie  (June 28th, 2016)

E-cigarettes: The Medical and Legal Implications 
The Legal Eagle, The Honorable Society of King’s Inns, Henrietta St, Dublin 1 (Autumn 2014)

Medico-Legal Journal of Ireland

Ruth Morrissey and Paul Morrissey v. Health Service Executive, Quest Diagnostic Incorporated and Medlab Pathology Limited [2020] IESC 43 
Medico-Legal Journal of Ireland (Vol. 26, Issue 1, 2020)

A.C. v. Karen Fitzpatrick, Director of Nursing at St. Finbarr’s Nursing Home, Health Service Executive, Comyn Kelleher Tobin Solicitors and The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission [2019] IESC 73
Medico-Legal Journal of Ireland (Vol. 26, Issue 1, 2020)

Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland v. M.M.G. [2019] IEHC 947
Medico-Legal Journal of Ireland (Vol. 26, Issue 1, 2020)

H. (a minor) suing by her grandmother and next friend v. Adelaide and Meath Hospital Dublin incorporating National Children’s Hospital and St. James’s Hospital Foundation Limited [2020] IEHC 81
Medico-Legal Journal of Ireland (Vol. 26, Issue 1, 2020)

Orla Van Der Zaan v. The National Maternity Hospital [2020] IEHC 83
Medico-Legal Journal of Ireland (Vol. 26, Issue 1, 2020)

Siobhan Freeney v. Health Service Executive [2020] IEHC 286
Medico-Legal Journal of Ireland (Vol. 26, Issue 2, 2020)

The Medical Council v. A Medical Practitioner [2020] IEHC 245
Medico-Legal Journal of Ireland, (Vol. 26, Issue 2, 2020)

Margaret Browne v. Peter Van Geene and Mount Carmel Medical Group (Kilkenny) Limited T/A Aut Even Hospital [2020] IECA 253
Medico-Legal Journal of Ireland, (Vol. 26, Issue 2, 2020)

M.C. v. The Clinical Director of the Central Mental Hospital and The Mental Health (Criminal Law) Review Board [2020] IESC 28
Medico-Legal Journal of Ireland, (Vol. 26, Issue 2, 2020)

Health Service Executive v. Neill Bradley [2020] IEHC 281
Medico-Legal Journal of Ireland, (Vol. 26, Issue 2, 2020)                                  

A.C. v. Karen Fitzpatrick, Director of Nursing at St. Finbarr’s Nursing Home, Health Service Executive, Comyn Kelleher Tobin Solicitors and The General Solicitor for Minors and Wards of Court [2018] IEHC 70.
Medico-Legal Journal of Ireland (Vol. 25, Issue 1, 2019)

Medical Council v. F.C.M [2018] IEHC 616
Medico-Legal Journal of Ireland (Vol. 25, Issue 1, 2019)

J.O’T v. Neil Healy, Angelo Grazioli, Commissioner of An Garda Síochána, Minister for Justice and Equality, Ireland and the Attorney General [2018] IEHC 571
Medico-Legal Journal of Ireland (Vol. 25, Issue 1, 2019)

The National Maternity Hospital v. The Minister for Health and The Health Information and Quality Authority [2018] IEHC 591                             
Medico-Legal Journal of Ireland (Vol. 25, Issue 1, 2019)

Ita Long v. Coru Health and Social Care Professional Council [2018] IEHC 638
Medico-Legal Journal of Ireland (Vol. 25, Issue 1, 2019)

O’Leary v. Mercy University Hospital Cork Ltd. [2019] IESC
Medico-Legal Journal of Ireland (Vol. 25, Issue 2, 2019)

Eugene McCormack v. Marcus Timlin, Mater Private Hospital and Mater Private Healthcare – High Court [2019] IEHC 31
Medico-Legal Journal of Ireland (Vol. 25, Issue 2, 2019)

Lisa Lawless v. Beacon Hospital, Beacon Hospital Sandyford Limited and Mo’iad Alazzam, Robert Hannon and Adnan Hafeez [2019] IECA 256
Medico-Legal Journal of Ireland (Vol. 25, Issue 2, 2019)

Peter McEvoy & Linda McEvoy v. Preliminary Proceedings Committee and Medical Council [2019] IEHC 580 
Medico-Legal Journal of Ireland (Vol. 25, Issue 2, 2019)

IRM, SJR and SOM (a minor suing by her mother and next friend SJR) v. The Minister for Justice and Equality, Ireland and the Attorney General [2018] IESC 14
Medico-Legal Journal of Ireland (Vol. 24, Issue 1, 2018)

PL v. The Clinical Director of St. Patrick’s University Hospital and Dr. O’Ceallaigh and the Attorney General and the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission [2018] IECA 29 
Medico-Legal Journal of Ireland (Vol. 24, Issue 1, 2018)

O’Sullivan v. Ireland, the Attorney General, the Minister for Health and Children, the Health Service Executive and the Bon Secures Health System Trading as Bon Secours Hospital [ 2018] IECA 8
Medico-Legal Journal of Ireland (Vol. 24, Issue 1, 2018)

Ahmed v. The Fitness to Practice Committee of the Medical Council, the Medical Council, the Minister for Justice and Equality, Ireland and the Attorney General [2018] IEHC 75
Medico-Legal Journal of Ireland (Vol. 24, Issue 1, 2018)

The Child and Family Agency (a minor represented by order by his solicitor and next friend Gina Cleary) and C [2018] IEHC 112
Medico-Legal Journal of Ireland (Vol. 24, Issue 1, 2018)

Angelo Cloonan v. Health Service Executive and Dr. Kishan Browne [2018] IEHC 454
Medico-Legal Journal of Ireland (Vol. 24, Issue 2, 2018)

Louis Blehein v. The Minister for Health and Children, Ireland and the Attorney General [2018] IESC 40
Medico-Legal Journal of Ireland (Vol. 24, Issue 2, 2018)

Green v. Elish Hardiman [2018] IECA 205
Medico-Legal Journal of Ireland (Vol. 24, Issue 2, 2018)

Medical Council v. T.M. [2017] IEHC 548
Medico-Legal Journal of Ireland (Vol. 24, Issue 2, 2018)

Niall Healy v. Terence O’Brien [2017] IEHC 602
Medico-Legal Journal of Ireland (Vol. 24, Issue 2, 2018)

The National Maternity Hospital v. The Minister for Health and The Health Information and Equality Authority [2018] IEHC 565
Medico-Legal Journal of Ireland (Vol. 24, Issue 2, 2018)

Open Disclosure Requirements of Pre-Hospital Clinicians 
Irish Association of Emergency Medicine (IAEM), Annual Scientific Meeting 2022, Slieve Russell Hotel, Co. Cavan (20 October 2022)

Open Disclosure in “patient safety incidents”
A.Menarini, GP Academic Day, The Galmont Hotel, Galway. ( 2 February 2019)

Assisted Decision –Making (Capacity) Act 2015: Implications for Healthcare Decision-Making
A.Menarini, Medical Conference, Herbert Park Hotel, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. (2 March 2019)

‘No Blame: Culture Change in Error Reporting and Open Disclosure’ in “patient safety incidents”,
NUI Galway & Irish Research Council Conference, Clarence Hotel, Wellington Quay, Dublin 2. (9 October 2019)

Medical Negligence: Recent Developments
Hussey Fraser Solicitors’, 17 Northumberland Rd, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4,  (28 March 2018)

Open Disclosure in “patient safety incidents”
A.Menarini, Medical Conference, Herbert Park Hotel, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. ( 20 October 2018)

Medical Negligence: Recent Developments
Hughes Murphy Solicitors’, Solicitors’ CPD, Dublin, Ireland (November 2017)

Start Your Own Business – Legal Issues for New Business
Entrepreneurs Academy, Distillers Building, Smithfield, Dublin, Ireland (July 2015 – 2021)

Employment Issues in a Cultural Diverse Workplace                                   
Stillorgan, Dublin, Ireland (April 2013) 

How to Series: Policies, Procedures & Guidelines
St. Vincent’s University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin, Ireland (May 2010)

Managing Cultural Diversity
Swiss Management Hospitality University, Switzerland (March 2010) 

Equality & Diversity / Cultural Competence
St. James’s Hospital, Dublin , Ireland  (February 2008/09)

The International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ)
Volunteer with Afghan Judges Support Groups in Ireland (January 2022 – to present)

Adjudicator/Judge of TCD Law Soc. – Mock Trials
Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland (September/October 2018)

Advanced Advocacy Course
Bar of Ireland, Church Street, Dublin (September 2017)

Medico-Legal Society – Conference Co-ordinator
The Coroners Inquiry & Reform Conference, Ireland (February 4, 2017)

Free Legal Advice Centre (FLAC) 
13 Lower Dorset Street, Dublin 1, Ireland (2016 – 2019).

Pro-Bono Case – Employment Law
Equal Status case of discrimination, organic farm ordered to pay compensation to volunteer.