Zalewski v Adjudication Officer & Ors [2021] IESC
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The Supreme Court has found, by a narrow majority, that the
Workplace Relations Act 2015 (the Act) as
implemented by the Workplace Relations Commission
(WRC) is not unconstitutional.
WRC Proceedings
The Zalewski case involved proceedings for
unfair dismissal and non-payment of wages which were initiated in
the WRC. The hearing was adjourned to allow evidence to be given by
certain witnesses. However, when the matter returned before the
WRC, the applicant was informed that the adjudication officer had
already issued a decision dismissing his complaint.
High Court
A judicial review of the WRC process was sought in the High
Court. It was alleged that the WRC was engaged in the
administration of justice which was required by the Constitution to
be within the sole remit of the courts. Further, that the lack of
an appeal procedure, the fact that hearings were not held in public
and that there was no right to