Defamation Changes on the way?
Acting for both claimants and defendants, defamation, libel and the related subjects of false arrest or imprisonment have always been areas of practice for us. For that reason our attention was piqued by an [...]
Assisted Decision Making to Replace Wardship
The Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act 2015 was signed into law on 30 December 2015. Its underlying premise is that everyone is presumed to be able to decide for themselves unless the opposite is [...]
The Supreme Court delivered a significant judgment on the rights of the elderly and the wardship system
Decision of court The Supreme Court has ruled that the manner in which an elderly woman of 96-years was made a ward of court was flawed. The Court specifically criticised the fact that [...]
Top tips for landlords to protect their investment in a downturn
Landlords who know their legal position vis-à-vis their tenants and former tenants are better equipped to minimise their risks and act quickly when they need to if, for example, Brexit and global trade [...]
Minister for Justice publishes Divorce Bill
The Divorce Bill The Minister for Justice, Charlie Flannagan, has published the eagerly awaited Family Law Bill 2019. The Bill will give effect to May’s divorce referendum. Waiting times for divorce will reduce [...]
My data protection rights have been breached. What can I do about it?
Data protection rights Everyone has the right to have their personal information processed in a fair and transparent manner. The General Data Protection Regulation, the GDPR, strengthens everyone’s rights in relation to how [...]
Agreeing to be someone’s executor – what it means
Agreeing to be someone's executor – what it means If someone dies and they have named you in their Will as their executor, your job is to identify and collect in everything they [...]
Urgent Need for Appropriate Surrogacy Legislation in Ireland
The issue of surrogacy and its legal status is a complicated one in Ireland, and remains a legal grey area in the Republic for those hoping to start a family. Despite having the [...]
Getting the legals right when you help your children out financially
Parents who want to help their children out financially – for example, by helping them buy a home - should make sure they get the legals right, or risk things going wrong later [...]
Europe’s highest court orders Facebook to take down defamatory material worldwide
What is Defamation? Your good name is one of the most valuable assets you have. It is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Irish Constitution. You are entitled to protect your reputation against [...]
The Public Service Card: what’s all the fuss about?
What is the card? The Public Service Card was rolled out by the government in 2011 and it is designed to allow you to easily access public services such as social welfare payments, [...]
The right to be forgotten doesn’t extend outside the EU
The right to be forgotten Europe’s highest court, the Court of Justice of the EU, has confirmed that the right to be forgotten doesn’t extend outside the territory of the EU. In the [...]
What happens next for British citizens and their families living in Ireland?
Common Travel Area Since the beginnings of the Irish state the Common Travel Area has existed between Ireland and the UK. It is more than just the right to travel, live and work [...]
What do I do when my ex still has a key of the house?
Separation and divorce are painful experiences for most people and it can be difficult to put emotion aside when dealing with the practicalities, such as deciding who will remain in the family home. [...]
What you need to do immediately when a family member dies
What you need to do immediately when a family member dies A family member’s death is upsetting and stressful enough so here are pointers to help you with the practical issues you’ll need [...]
Things to Think About Before you Rush into Suing Someone
Things to think about before you rush into suing someone It’s tempting, in the heat of the moment, to decide you want to take someone straight to court – after all, you’re right [...]
Co-Habitation can be a legal minefield!
When unmarried couples cohabit – legally, it’s complicated Buying a house together as a couple, or moving into your partner’s home, when you aren’t married or in a civil partnership can drop you [...]
Ward of Court – Explained
What is a Ward of Court and Who Can Apply? Applying for a family member or someone you know to become a Ward of Court is never an easy decision, and one that [...]
Why You Should try Mediation before Taking a Legal Dispute to Court
If you get into a legal dispute with someone and go for advice you’ll find that, in most cases, there’s a legal duty for your solicitor to tell you about mediation as a [...]
The Importance of Making a Will
Be warned: if you don’t make a will your estate may not go to who you want it to Many people assume that if they die without having made a will (intestate), their [...]
Do I Have A Defamation Case? Five Key Questions
Defamation, libel and slander is not confined to the classic case of being defamed in a newspaper article or media broadcast. Defamation, libel or slander in Ireland can be much more localised and [...]