In a special episode of Law on Trial, the hosts discuss whether the law and the arts are complementary passions. Guests include Mr Justice Cian Ferriter, a poet, John O’Donnell SC, a writer, and barrister Seána Davey, a professional harpist.De către Business Post

Surveying our solicitors In the latest episode of Law on Trial, Mark Garrett, director general of the Law Society of Ireland, discusses the key findings in a recent survey of more than 2,200 solicitors and what the representative body is doing to tackle challenges faced by the profession. Hosts Catherine Sanz and James McDermott also chat to Éamonn…

In this episode of Law on Trial, Catherine Sanz and barrister James McDermott speak with John MacMenamin, a retired Supreme Court judge, about his career on the bench, rule of law, and the challenges faced by young lawyers. The podcast also features an interview with Patricia Lucas, a retired judge of the Superior Court of California in Santa Clara…

In this episode of Law on Trial, Catherine Sanz and barrister James McDermott speak with Michael Dillon, director of legal at the Corporate Enforcement Authority (CEA), the agency tasked with enforcing company law in Ireland. Dillon discusses his work with the so-called “Irish FBI”, as well as his prior roles which included being deputy Attorney Ge…

In the first episode of season four of Law on Trial, Sara Phelan, chairwoman of the Bar Council, discusses why the representative body has recommended a historical one-day withdrawal of services by its criminal barrister members. Hosts Catherine Sanz and James McDermott also chat with Niamh Howlin, associate professor of law at UCD, about her new b…

In the latest episode of Law on Trial, Roger Murray, SC, and partner with Callan Tansey, discusses why the HSE’s narrative around medical negligence risks “vilifying” patients instead of highlighting the need for proper resourcing. He also discusses why the so-called gun for hire syndrome is a “complete myth” and how the experience of medical litig…

David Carthy, country managing partner of DLA Piper in Ireland, discusses his firm’s competitive trainee recruitment drive, a string of high-profile hires, and finding comfort in change. Barry Scannell, consultant with William Fry, discusses Chat GPT and why law students should learn to harness the power of artificial intelligence. Hosts Catherine …

Alex White, senior counsel, reflects on his journey from journalism to law, a career in politics with the Labour party, and his recent appointment as director general of the Institute for International and European Affairs. Hosts Catherine Sanz and James McDermott also discuss some legal stories in the news.…

Eavan Saunders, managing partner at Dentons Dublin and country head for Ireland, on her vision for the office, her A-list disputes team, battling gender bias, and winning new clients. Hosts Catherine Sanz and James McDermott, barrister, also discuss some recent legal cases in the news, a new law on service charges, and plans in Germany to legalise …

In the second episode of season three, Noeline Blackwell, chief executive of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, discusses new legislation on human trafficking and how her team has been preparing to assist Ukrainians who may have been victims of sexual violence. She also chats about her views on arming the gardai, pro-bono work, and winning a recent lif…

In the first episode of season three, Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC, a barrister at Doughty Street Chambers, and member of an international legal team alongside Amal Clooney, discusses some of the dangers her clients face from spurious lawsuits by State actors. Gallagher discusses the case of Jimmy Lai, a Hong Kong pro democracy campaigner, and Maria Re…

Sheila Willis, president of the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences (and former director of Forensic Science Ireland) joins the podcast to discuss the dangers of forensic evidence and how miscarriages of justice may be avoided. Neville Cox, professor of law in Trinity College Dublin, speaks about defamation, the Johnny Depp/Amber Heard trial, an…

Sinéad Gibney, chief commissioner with the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, joins the podcast to discuss whether Ireland’s equality laws are fit for purpose and how the State’s decision to fight issues it eventually concedes is a drain on resources. The podcast also hears from Deirdre Malone, head of EY Law Ireland's employment team, who…

Philip Lee, partner and executive chairman of Philip Lee LLP. Lee, discusses his career as a solicitor and the principal of a well known firm. He also addresses issues such as the split legal profession, personal injuries litigation, and whether judicial review impedes societal progress. Also on this episode: we discuss Johnny Depp’s defamation cas…

Michael O’Doherty, barrister and co-founder of VIP Publishing, joins the podcast to discuss internet law and proposed legislation to combat harmful online content. Stephanie Lord, legal and policy officer with the Free Legal Advice Centres (FLAC), explains why a review of the civil legal aid system is urgent in the wake of the pandemic. We also dis…

Frank Clarke, senior counsel and former Chief Justice, joins the podcast to discuss the legal system after his term in office. Fiona Carroll of the Law Reform Commission explains why the Law Reform Commission is seeking to revoke several historical proclamations. Plus: when is a window not a window? A court case taken by developer Johnny Ronan’s re…

Emily O'Reilly, European Ombudsman, joins the podcast to discuss the cases she investigates and how her 20 years as a journalist in Ireland previously has informed her role. As war in Ukraine continues, the hosts speak to Aonghus Kelly, of Irish Rule of Law International, who explains the law of when a country can invade another sovereign state, an…

Michelle Ní Longáin, the new President of the Law Society, joins the podcast to discuss her plans. English barrister Paul Marshall tells us about hundreds of criminal convictions that may have arisen from a computer error. We discuss recent case law, and how courts can establish whether handwriting has been forged. Law on Trial is presented by Pete…

UK legal commentator David Allen Green discusses the constitutional significance of the Good Friday Agreement, and the implications of Article 16 of the Northern Ireland protocol. Gemma McLoughlin Burke from the Irish Council for Civil Liberties advocates the abolition of the Special Criminal Court. We discuss the centenary of the first women to qu…

Angela Denning, chief executive of the Courts Service of Ireland, joins the podcast to discuss the short-term and longer-term changes in the Irish court system. Construction law expert Deirdre Ní Fhloinn BL is interviewed on the Mica controversy, and the government's compensation scheme. Also on the slate: we discuss recent cases concerning persona…

Paul Tweed, internationally renowned defamation lawyer, joins the podcast to talk about taking on social media giants such as Facebook. Solicitor Bernadette Parte, a specialist in healthcare and mental health law, offers her take on the Britney Spears conservatorship case. Plus: we discuss recent case law on personal injuries, sentencing and bankru…

Michael Peart, the first solicitor ever appointed as a High Court judge, talks about his career in his family firm, his decision to apply for the bench, and why he had a ‘blast’ during his 17 years on the superior courts. Katherine McGillicuddy BL talks about the pending litigation in the Court of Justice of the European Union concerning Graham Dwy…

Gwendolen Morgan of the Workplace Relations Commission talks about public hearings and evidence on oath in employment disputes. Ronan Lupton BL discusses the €225m WhatsApp fine for data protection breaches. Also, the new Texas abortion law, sentencing for possession of a stolen lawnmower, and litigation over the Sex Pistols' intellectual property.…

Welcome to the Business Post's new podcast series on legal affairs in Ireland and beyond. In this new series, hosts Peter Leonard and Mark Tottenham, joined by Catherine Sanz, legal correspondent of the Business Post, shine a light on legal topics and offer interviews with high profile figures from the legal world.…