Association of Barristers in Ireland

Lobbying Organisation Association of Barristers in Ireland

Date published 18 May, 2017

Relevant Matter Legislation

Public Policy Area Justice and Equality

Period 1 Jan, 2017 to 30 Apr, 2017

Specific Details Issues relating to the denial of rights to barristers; direct access to barristers in contentious matters; the 'judicial bencher' issue

Intended results Implementation of Article 20 of the European Union Charter of Fundamental Rights (Everyone is Equal before the law). The Charter is binding on Ireland on foot of the Lisbon Treaty and should be in place for all citizens. It is not. Barristers face obstacles in exercising their constitutional and Fundamental Charter Rights as all Superior Court judges are 'judicial benchers'. A solution to the 'judicial bencher' situation was sought, either by way of a Constitutional Referendum or legislation. An end to the incorrect perception that restrictions on barristers appearing in court in contentious matters is illegal. Any current restriction is anti-competitive. This matter has already been dealt with by the Supreme Court years ago and as there is no law to prevent it, it should already be possible in practice for a client directly to instruct a barrister to appear in court in a contentious matter

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Eugenie Houston BL as President of the Association of Barristers

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? Yes

Client(s)

Client 1

Company name Association of Barristers in Ireland

CRO number (if applicable)

Company address 6 Arran Quay, Dublin 7

Main business or activity Professional representative body for barristers in Ireland

Company website

Contact email address hello@barristerprofessionalbody.ie

Contact phone number 01 6859268

Contact address 6 Arran Chambers, 6 Arran Quay, Dublin 7

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Letter (1)

Letter to the Minister for Justice, Frances Fitzgerald

Meeting (1)

Meeting with advisor to Independent Alliance Minister of State

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Eugene Deering Adviser to Minister (The Office of Public Works)