Employment Law - Work Permits

Experts have an unusual dual role in litigation, in that they owe...

A recent practice direction issued by the Chief Justice of Ireland and recent judgments of Mr Justice Hogan indicate a shift by the Irish Courts towards a more general right of public access to court documents.

In its recent decision in QPQ Limited v Schute [2026] IEHC 463, the High Court confirmed that it has an inherent jurisdiction to order the disclosure of litigation funding arrangements where there is a credible basis for believing the proceedings may be supported by unlawful third-party funding.

Ireland's new Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation Bill 2026 introduces comprehensive protections against abusive litigation designed to silence journalists, activists, and citizens exercising their right to public participation. The legislation empowers courts to swiftly dismiss meritless claims, impose costs and damages on plaintiffs, and provides mechanisms to address cross-border SLAPP proceedings.

The Arbitration (Amendment) Act 2026 (2026 Act) was signed into law on 17 June 2026. The Act is relatively short in scope and amends the Arbitration Act 2010 in order to facilitate the implementation in Ireland of certain international agreements concluded between the European Union and third countries.

The Supreme Court of Ireland has issued a landmark ruling on litigation funding arrangements, examining whether conditional fee uplift agreements and "no foal, no fee" structures violate champerty laws. This decision arose from a tax debt recovery case where taxpayers challenged the Revenue Commissioners' fee arrangements with their legal panel, arguing these agreements were unenforceable under Irish law.

Recent developments in Irish mediation law have brought significant changes through a new High Court Practice Direction and a landmark judgment on court-ordered mediation. These developments clarify compliance requirements under the Mediation Act 2017 and establish the courts' power to direct parties into mediation, even against their will in appropriate circumstances.

In Lynch v Motor Insurers Bureau of Ireland [2026] IECA 95, the Court of Appeal noted a limitation in respect of section 26 of the Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004 (2004 Act)...

Public inquiries must adhere to strict procedural fairness and natural justice requirements, but achieving this can be challenging as the process evolves.

This article examines the Supreme Court's evolving role following Ireland's 2014 constitutional amendment, analyzing how the establishment of the Court of Appeal transformed the Supreme Court into a specialized tribunal for cases of exceptional public importance. Through a comprehensive review of 153 determinations made in 2025, the analysis explores the criteria for securing leave to appeal and identifies emerging trends in the application of the "Karshan factor" for leapfrog appeals.