The Bar of Ireland

The Council of The Bar of Ireland is the representative body for barristers who are members of the Law Library in Ireland.

[The Bar of Ireland @TheBarofIreland]

Statement from The Bar of Ireland: Proposed scale of legal costs would have wide-ranging negative consequences on access to justice and environmental protection

➡️ Read our statement in full: https://t.co/dLx5eDuyCR

[The Bar of Ireland @TheBarofIreland]

The publication today of the Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan has been broadly welcomed by the Council of The Bar of Ireland.

Chair of the Council of The Bar of Ireland, Seán Guerin SC, said; “Accelerating the delivery of housing and infrastructure is an important public policy objective that is widely supported.

We welcome the publication of this Report, and the ongoing cross Government efforts on this issue of national consequence.

We note the Report’s 30 proposed actions. The Report’s authors have identified the need for action across a whole range of Governmental and administrative responsibilities in order to improve the State’s ability to deliver necessary infrastructure.

This is consistent with the Bar Council’s position that high-quality and lawful planning processes and decisions would reduce the need for judicial reviews and ensure that infrastructure is delivered efficiently, sustainably, and in a way that best serves society."

Read in full ⬇️
https://t.co/s8Mt8GDKWn

[The Bar of Ireland @TheBarofIreland]

The Bar of Ireland has announced the appointment of Shirley Coulter as its new Chief Executive, following an open and competitive recruitment process.

Ms Coulter joins The Bar of Ireland from the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI), where she has served as Chief Executive since 2020. She previously served as The Bar of Ireland’s Director of Communications & Policy from 2015 – 2020.

Welcoming the appointment, Seán Guerin SC, Chair of the Council of The Bar of Ireland, said:

"We are delighted to announce the appointment of Shirley Coulter as Chief Executive of The Bar of Ireland. Shirley brings deep knowledge of the organisation, a strong understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the profession, and a proven record of effective leadership in representing members’ interests.

"On behalf of the Council, I warmly welcome Shirley back to The Bar of Ireland and look forward to working with her to continue strengthening our position as an independent, expert, and accessible voice within the justice system. I also wish to express our sincere thanks to Ciara Murphy for her long and much-valued service as Chief Executive. The Bar of Ireland is a highly regarded professional body and has gone from strength to strength under her leadership of the organisation."

Ms Coulter’s appointment follows the planned departure of Ciara Murphy, who has served as Chief Executive of The Bar of Ireland since 2014.

Ms Coulter will take up her role in February 2026.

https://t.co/cuSl93fKlV

[The Bar of Ireland @TheBarofIreland]

New research shows €1.4bn worth of legal services exported internationally

Last week, Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O'Callaghan TD @OCallaghanJim launched a new independent report by @KPMG commissioned by The Bar of Ireland and the Law Society of Ireland @LawSocIreland.

The report - ‘Economic Impacts of the Irish legal profession’ - highlights how essential legal services are to Ireland’s global competitiveness, enabling investment and growth across high value sectors of the economy. It was launched at the Dublin International Disputes Week conference.

Highlights of the report:

⚖️ A trusted, independent legal sector underpins investment and innovation across every major industry in the country - from financial services and aviation to life sciences and technology.

📊 Ireland’s trusted legal system is a core national asset that underpins our successful economy. Ireland’s economy is one of the most open and globally integrated in the world. This is a reflection of our successful national economic model, as well as a trusted and predictable legal system.

🌍 Legal services are essential to Ireland’s global competitiveness, supporting employment, innovation, and economic stability. A strong legal profession reinforces Ireland’s attractiveness as a place to do business and ensures the wider services economy remains resilient.

🗝️ The legal sector is a key contributor to long-term economic growth in Ireland, with €1.4 billion worth of legal services exported internationally. The top four sectors that engage with legal professionals are financial services; technology, media & entertainment, and telecommunications; head office and management consultancy; and manufacturing. These fours sectors are responsible for 50% of domestic spending on legal and accounting services, as well as driving a substantial portion of Irish economic activity.

👨‍⚖️ As one of the most open and globally integrated economies in the world, Ireland’s trusted and predictable legal system has played a key role in the country’s economic success, the KPMG report says.

Read the report at: https://t.co/fDBMVwGufX

[The Bar of Ireland @TheBarofIreland]

Statement from the Council of The Bar of Ireland: The fundamental importance of an independent referral Bar

It is the duty of barristers to be independent and free from any influence, especially such as may arise from their personal interests or external pressure, in the discharge of their professional duties as barristers.

Barristers cannot discriminate in favour of or against any person availing, or seeking to avail, of the services of the barrister on the grounds of race, colour, sex, sexual orientation, language, politics, religion, nationality, national or social origin, national minority, birth or other status.

It is also the duty of barristers to accept instructions in any case in their area of practice. As a result, barristers should not be identified with their clients or their clients’ causes or suffer adverse consequences as a result of being so identified. This fundamental principle arises from the Code of Conduct of The Bar of Ireland and is recognised in the United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers and in the Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer.

The duty of barristers to accept instructions, sometimes referred to as the “cab-rank rule”, ensures that everyone is entitled to access to justice and is central to trust in the Irish legal system and the rule of law.
@CourtsServiceIE @DeptJusticeIRL @IrishLegalNews

[The Bar of Ireland @TheBarofIreland]

Statement from The Bar of Ireland on Budget 2026 ⬇️

The Bar of Ireland welcomes the progress outlined in yesterday’s Budget and in today’s announcement by the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan SC, towards the long-overdue restoration of professional fees for criminal barristers, marking a significant step in fulfilling the commitment contained in the Programme for Government.

The commitment to restoration of the FEMPI-era pay reductions is welcome recognition of the demanding and highly skilled work undertaken by barristers. To complete the process of pay restoration and to safeguard the sustainability of criminal practice, it is essential that fee rates once again be linked to comparable public-sector pay scales, as was the case prior to 2008.

Seán Guerin SC, Chair of the Council of The Bar of Ireland said: “We wish to express our appreciation to the Minister for Justice and his officials for their continued engagement and their recognition of the vital role played by criminal practitioners in ensuring the effective operation of the justice system. The Department of Justice has been supportive of the principle of fee restoration since 2018, acknowledging the Bar’s cooperation with reform and efficiency measures across the criminal justice system.

“We look forward to the implementation of the restored fee rates at the earliest opportunity, and no later than 1 January 2026. The restoration of fees is not only a matter of fairness but of urgency - the sustainability of criminal practice, and by extension the functioning of the criminal justice system, depends on it.

“The Bar of Ireland has always been open to any suggestions for improvement in the operation of the criminal justice system. We have co-operated fully with extensive reforms to date, including in relation to the protection of victims’ rights, improved efficiency in the operation of criminal trial courts, and reforms in relation to disclosure and new procedures to expedite cases involving children.

The Bar of Ireland stands ready to engage immediately with the Department of Justice and Bar Council representatives will be meeting with Department of Justice officials next week to continue discussions in relation to possible further reforms.

“Finally, while progress on fees for criminal work – both prosecution and criminal legal aid – is positive, it is vital that equal priority be given to addressing pay structures and rates within the civil legal aid system. The right of access to justice for all citizens depends on ensuring that practitioners are adequately supported to continue this essential work”, he added.

➡️ Read statement on our website: https://t.co/2whVqUAenW

[The Bar of Ireland @TheBarofIreland]

▶️ Episode 1 out now: Judge Marie Baker and Claire Collins SC open the Family Law Podcast Series by looking at the historical and constitutional evolution of divorce law in Ireland.

Marking the 30th anniversary of the 1995 referendum, they trace the legal journey from the 1937 constitutional ban on divorce to the eventual introduction of judicial separation and divorce legislation.

Listen: https://t.co/F2T2qFPhGn

[The Bar of Ireland @TheBarofIreland]

Today marks 250 years since the birth of Daniel O’Connell.

In her winning entry to the Liberator Scholarship competition, Maria Watson BL wrote on O'Connell's legacy:

“For contemporary societies, the lesson is clear: meaningful and enduring change is possible when individuals and groups organise peacefully, articulate their demands with clarity and conviction, and persist in the face of adversity.

O’Connell’s example serves as a blueprint for effective and principled leadership, reminding us that the struggle for justice requires not only passion but also discipline, strategy, and an unwavering commitment to constitutional principles.”

➡️ Find Maria’s essay, as well as two recorded lectures on O’Connell’s legacy from Philippe Sands KC and Paul Gallagher SC here: https://t.co/exXXeqTIXH

[FLAC @flacireland]

“WHEN GAY RIGHTS ARE UNDER ATTACK - STAND UP, CALL FLAC!”

FLAC were #proud to march in the name of access to justice for the LGBTQI+ community!

We were delighted to be joined by Michael Farrell and Maureen Gourley - two of the FLAC solicitors who represented Lydia Foy.

[The Bar of Ireland @TheBarofIreland]

🔔 Minister @JamesBrowneTD will be speaking at our @CBAIreland Conference next Friday, 20 June on the topic of Housing and Building Regulations.

Don't miss it! Register here - https://t.co/iLGHs07wAw

[Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage @DeptHousingIRL]

Government to introduce major reforms to the rental sector

🏚️Expansion of rent controls
🏚️New measures to boost rental supply & investment in sector
🏚️Security of tenure for renters strengthened
🏚️End to no fault evictions for most renters

More info https://t.co/w3t0k9SDJZ

[The Bar of Ireland @TheBarofIreland]

Our member David Leonard BL spoke yesterday at 'What Can Pro Bono Do For Your NGO?' at @flacireland headquarters as part of #ProBonoWeek 2025.

Catch Sharon Dillon Lyons BL and Michael Kinsley BL at 'Amplifying Impact and Access to Justice' on Wednesday, 11 June at @McCannFitz.

More information and register here - https://t.co/iNRlaCwBdH

#EPBW #EPBW2025

[FLAC @flacireland]

It’s a full house in FLAC HQ for “What Can Pro Bono Do For Your NGO?” - the first event of Pro Bono Week 2025 #EPBW #EPBW2025

@eilis_barry @TheBarofIreland @McCannFitz @ALGoodbody

[Library & Information Service | The Bar of Ireland @LawLibServices]

Celebrating #Pride2025 - A selection of legal textbooks available in our collection.
#ReadWithPride

👉 Contact the Library to borrow a copy: https://t.co/yM5jwuYvvw

[The Bar of Ireland @TheBarofIreland]

This #ProBonoWeek 2025, we’re asking - what can barristers do?

Diane Duggan, formerly at The Bar of Ireland and now Head of Legal at the Electoral Commission @ElecCommIRL wrote on the impact barristers can have outside of the courtroom in the April 24 edition of The Bar Review.

The article has a spotlight on the collaboration between the @AnaLiffey Project and The Bar of Ireland’s Voluntary Assistance Scheme (VAS), where the VAS provided pro-bono legal work in drafting legislation for the implementation of supervised injection facilities.

Read the article here - https://t.co/kdJQvQXwVn

Find out more about the VAS, and sign up to volunteer here - https://t.co/nDpGQM9klG