Cardinal Julián Herranz, President emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts, President emeritus of the Disciplinary Commission of the Roman Curia, was born on 31 March 1930 in Baena, Spain. 

He was ordained a priest on 7 August 1955 for the Prelature of Opus Dei. He holds a licence in medicine with a specialization in psychiatry and a degree in canon law. He was a professor at the University of Navarra. In 1960, he was called to service in the Roman Curia regarding the discipline of the clergy.

In 1984 he was appointed Secretary of the Pontifical Commission for the Authentic Interpretation of the Code of Canon Law.

On 15 December 1990, following the re-naming of the Commission (today the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts), he was appointed as Secretary and was assigned the titular episcopal see of Vertara, receiving episcopal ordination on 6 January 1991. 

On 19 December 1994 he was raised to Archbishop and appointed President of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts. On 3 December 1999 he was also appointed President of the Disciplinary Commission of the Roman Curia.

President emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts, 15 February 2007.

President emeritus of the Disciplinary Commission of the Roman Curia, 11 May 2010.

He participated in the conclave of April 2005, which elected Pope Benedict XVI.

Created and proclaimed Cardinal by St. John Paul II in the Consistory of 21 October 2003, of the Title of S. Eugenio (St. Eugenius), Deaconry elevated pro hac vice to presbyteral title (12 June 2014).