Workplace Relations Commission Granted Authority To Hold Remote Hearings On A Compulsory Basis

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar TD (the "Minister"), last week signed an order (the "Order") authorising the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) to conduct its hearings remotely.

The Order appoints the WRC as a designated body under the Civil Law and Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2020 (the "2020 Act"), an act that was introduced to address the challenges faced by the court system and legal system as a result of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The 2020 Act makes provision for remote hearings, the use of electronic means in civil proceedings and the giving of evidence using video link, among other matters.

Section 31 of the 2020 Act grants the authority for hearings before a "designated body" to take place remotely. It provides that legislation which refers to the holding of hearings by a designated body will be modified to allow for the holding of those hearings remotely.