Ireland

The Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Act 2025 (Commencement) Order 2026 has now been published. After a period of delay pending a review of the existing Code of Practice on Longer Working, the Order confirms that the Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Act 2025 (“the Act”) will come into operation on 29th June 2026. The Act adopts a consent-based approach to retirement in circumstances where an employee’s contractual retirement age is lower than the State pension age (currently aged 66). This gives employees a statutory mechanism to seek to remain in employment beyond their contractual retirement age. Where an employee does not consent to retire at the applicable Contractual Retirement Age, they may notify their employer in writing of their intention to continue working. This notification must be provided: no less than 3 months and no more than 12 months before the contractual retirement date; or where the employer’s notification period is greater than 3 months, not less than the period specified or 6 months (whichever is shorter). A key feature of the legislation is the obligation on the employer to engage with such requests. Where an employer receives a notification: they should not enforce the contractual retirement age unless doing so can be objectively and reasonably justified by a legitimate aim, and the means of achieving that aim are appropriate and necessary; and where the employer intends to enforce the contractual retirement age, they must provide a reasoned written response within one month of receipt of the notification. Failure to do so, without reasonable cause, may be a criminal offence. On summary conviction, this may result in a fine of up to €5,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 12 months. Liability may attach not only to the employer entity itself, but also to directors, managers and other officers, where it can be shown that the offence was committed with their consent or connivance.  An employee can also refer a complaint to the WRC for an employer’s failure to meet its obligations under the Act. In the case of well-founded claims, the WRC can order compensation up to 104 weeks remuneration or €40,000, whichever is greater. In parallel with the Act, a revised Code of Practice on Longer Working will also come into effect on 29th June 2026. The Code is intended to guide employers and employees in engaging constructively in advance of retirement, including where employees wish to continue working beyond a contractual retirement age or beyond age 66. The Code draws an important distinction in how the objective justification test is applied. Takeaway for Employers: This legislation represents a material shift in the operation of contractual retirement ages and increases the level of scrutiny on employer decision-making in this area. Employers should: Review contracts and policies to ensure that retirement provisions are consistent with the new regime; Ensure that there is a clear internal process for handling requests to work beyond a contractual retirement age; Prepare to give reasoned and documented responses to requests, supported by objective justification where retirement is being enforced; and Be mindful of the potential for criminal liability arising from a failure to engage appropriately with employee requests. Given the legal and practical complexities, and the potential exposure arising from non-compliance, employers should seek legal advice at an early stage when dealing with requests to extend employment beyond a contractual retirement age. Links:   Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Act 2025 Code of Practice on Longer Working 29th May 2026 Authors- Jane Holian and Ethna Dillon

The Workplace Relations Commission (the "WRC") has recently published its Annual Report for 2025. The report provides a useful overview of complaint trends, adjudication activity, mediation outcomes, inspection and enforcement work, and wider strategic developments across the employment law landscape. Set out below is a summary of some of the key points from the Report. Complaints and Adjudication Hearings Complaint levels remained high in 2025. The WRC received 10,559 complaint applications representing 19,068 individual complaints, averaging approximately two specific complaints per application. As in previous years, the Unfair Dismissals Act, Payment of Wages Act, Organisation of Working Time Act and Employment Equality Act featured prominently among the redress legislation most commonly relied upon by complainants. Equality related complaints were particularly notable, with referrals under the Employment Equality legislation increasing by 30%. and referrals under the Equal Status Act increasing by 15%. Disability, gender and race remained the most frequently cited discriminatory grounds in employment equality complaints. The report also points to growing pressure on adjudication services. 8,690 adjudication files were created during the year, representing a 30% increase on 2024. At the same time, 7,727 hearings were scheduled and 4,289 hearings were held, both down on the previous year. The WRC issued 2,506 decisions and recommendations in 2025, with a median period of 39 working days from hearing to decision. However, the median waiting time from receipt of complaint to first hearing rose from 133 days in January 2025 to 174 days by December 2025, suggesting continued capacity pressure within the system. While remote and hybrid hearings remain available to complainants, the majority of hearings were in person, with an average split of 60% in person hearings and 40% hybrid or remote hearings. Appeals The report also contains useful information on appeals. The WRC was notified of 300 Labour Court decisions relating to appeals from WRC decisions and recommendations in 2025. Of these, 68% were upheld, 17% were varied and 15% were overturned. Mediation Mediation continued to play an important role in early dispute resolution. Pre-adjudication mediation exceeded 1,000 cases for the first time, with 1,034 mediations taking place in 2025. The overall resolution rate was 54%, while telephone mediation achieved a particularly strong 69% resolution rate. The report also notes that a further 515 cases were withdrawn following engagement with the mediation service before adjudication, meaning that a significant number of disputes concluded without the need for a hearing. Inspections and Enforcements Inspection and enforcement activity remained substantial. The WRC closed 5,145 inspection cases in 2025, involving 5,596 workplace inspection visits. Contraventions of employment law were identified in 1,775 cases, and €1,578,924 in unpaid wages was recovered. The WRC also conducted 223 prosecutions, 183 of which resulted in successful outcomes, giving an 82% success rate. This represented an increase of 27.5% in the number of prosecutions brought by the WRC. AI and Other Developments The report is notable for the WRC's increasing focus on AI and digital capability. In 2025, the Legal Division published guidance on the use of AI before the WRC in response to a growing trend of parties using AI to draft submissions. The report emphasises the importance of human oversight and the need to ensure that submissions remain accurate and relevant. The WRC also commenced work on an internal AI-powered chatbot trained on WRC documentation. In addition, the WRC published a ten-year anniversary case report highlighting 50 employment and equality cases. The report is also significant in that it reflects the WRC's tenth anniversary year and the publication of its Strategy Statement 2025 to 2027, titled "A Decade of Impact - A Future of Fair Work and Equality". The WRC also established its new Knowledge, Information and Advisory Division in 2025, reinforcing a broader strategic emphasis on dispute prevention, accessibility, training and early intervention. Take Away for Employers Overall, the 2025 Annual Report reflects a year of increased complaint volumes, continued growth in mediation, significant inspection and enforcement activity, and a clear strategic focus on digitalisation, AI and dispute prevention. For employers and practitioners alike, the report provides a useful indication of the areas most likely to generate disputes and the operational pressures currently affecting the WRC.   Links: annual-report-2025.pdf   Authors –Ethna Dillon and Laura Killela 28 May 2026 Anne O’Connell Solicitors 19-22 Lower Baggot Street Dublin 2. www.aocsolicitors.ie

This year Walkers is celebrating 25 years of Walkers operating in Europe – a milestone the firm is proud to mark, reflecting its commitment to the European market and to its ever-expanding European client base. The firm's European story began with the opening of its London office in March 2001, as Walkers’ first international office, establishing a presence in one of the world’s most important financial centres. This laid the foundations for the integrated European platform the firm has today, advising on the laws of the Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands, Bermuda, Jersey, Guernsey and Ireland. Since 2001, and in particular during the past ten years, the firm has invested significantly into its London, Ireland, Jersey and Guernsey businesses. This investment has been combined with a consistent focus on bringing together market leading lawyers and professionals across all of its disciplines who believe in providing clients with top tier service in a responsive, coordinated and jurisdictionally agnostic manner. The growth in scale of the firm's European business has been phenomenal. The firm's four European offices are now home to over 600 legal and professional services personnel, delivering specialist, integrated advice relating to all aspects of asset management & investment funds, private capital & trusts, banking & finance, corporate, dispute resolution, insolvency & restructuring, employment and regulatory matters, across its six laws, as well as specialist Irish tax advice. The firm is delighted to see that the market leading strength of its European offering, and the coordinated approach it takes to client service, are consistently recognised by its clients as well as the legal directories. In addition to marking 25 years in Europe, this year also sees key milestones across each of the firm's European businesses, including 20 years in Jersey, 10 years in Guernsey and 10 years of Walkers Professional Services in Ireland. Together, these reflect the depth of the firm's long-term investment in Europe and the strength of its integrated offering. Commenting on the milestones, Hughie Wong, managing partner of Walkers' London office, said: 'Celebrating 25 years in Europe is a proud moment for all of us. London was our first step outside the Caribbean and it set the tone for how we operate internationally: operating in the same time zone as our clients, collaborating across offices and focusing on delivering consistently strong outcomes.' 'As we look ahead, we will continue to invest in our people and our platform so we can support clients at the most complex end of the market.' Fraser Hern, head of Walkers' Channel Islands business, added: ‘This year is particularly meaningful for our Channel Islands practice as we mark 20 years in Jersey and 10 years in Guernsey. Our Channel Islands offices form a crucial part of our European platform, supporting clients on complex multi-jurisdictional matters while remaining closely connected to the wider Walkers network. These milestones reflect not only the strength of our local teams, but the benefits of operating as part of an integrated European business.’ Jonathan Sheehan, managing partner of Walkers' Ireland office, said: ‘As we celebrate the milestone anniversaries across our European business, it is a timely opportunity to reflect on the depth of the commitment of our Ireland office to the region. Ireland has become a vital hub within our European offering, and our continued growth here is closely linked to the strength of the platform we have built across the region.’ The firm will recognise these milestones throughout the year, including hosting a client event to celebrate the relationships that have shaped its European journey and continue to drive its success. As the firm moves into the next chapter, it remains focused on strengthening its European offering and continuing to play a leading role in supporting clients with sophisticated, multi-jurisdictional advice.

Two of Ireland's respected, Irish-owned law firms, BHSM LLP and OBH Partners, have announced a strategic merger, effective 1 December 2025. The new Firm, BHSM LLP incorporating OBH Partners, brings together two well-established practices with shared values, complementary expertise, and a strong commitment to client service. The merger represents an important milestone for both firms, creating a stronger, growth-focused legal practice with enhanced reach across domestic and international markets.   A Partnership of Equals: This merger unites two firms known for delivering high-quality, partner-led advice. Both BHSM and OBH share a reputation for professionalism, integrity, and accessibility - values that will continue to guide the merged Firm.   Broader Service Offering: Clients will benefit from expanded expertise across corporate, real estate, dispute resolution, insolvency and corporate restructuring, employment, banking and finance, capital markets, construction, and private client.   Depth and Agility: The integration enhances each firm's core strengths, ensuring a continued agile and responsive service offering.   Unified Growth Vision: By combining resources and talent, the merged Firm is positioned to accelerate its growth in the Irish legal market and deliver greater value to clients at home and abroad.   The Firm will be headquartered at BHSM’s office at 76 Baggot Street Lower, Dublin 2, and will comprise 70 legal professionals, including 40 solicitors. BHSM moved into their new premises in 2023 with a strategic view to growing their practice and providing enhanced facilities for their clients.   Leadership and Vision Mark Homan will continue as Managing Partner of the merged Firm, ensuring continuity of leadership and vision. June Hynes and Orlaith O’Brien, Founding Partners of OBH Partners, will work closely with Mark through the merged Firm’s next exciting phase of development.   "This merger brings together two firms with aligned cultures and a shared ambition to deliver exceptional legal service," said Mark Homan, Managing Partner, BHSM. "It marks an exciting next chapter as we combine the talent and experience of both teams under a single, Irish-owned banner, which is becoming a unique feature in this market."   June Hynes, Founding Partner, OBH Partners, added: "The merger between our two established and well-respected law firms allows this new entity to strengthen and expand the service offering, providing expert advice to a combined client base while creating significant potential for future growth. This partnership reinforces our shared commitment to excellence, collaboration, and client success.”   About BHSM LLP BHSM is a full-service, Irish-owned corporate law firm based in Dublin. The Firm provides a comprehensive range of legal services across corporate, real estate, dispute resolution, insolvency and corporate restructuring, employment, banking and finance, construction, and private client, with a focus on delivering practical and strategic advice to domestic and international clients.   About OBH Partners OBH Partners is a leading Irish corporate law firm advising domestic and international clients across a broad range of sectors. With a focus on corporate, commercial, real estate, and banking law, OBH Partners is recognised for its partner-led approach, client focus, and deep understanding of the Irish business landscape.