Category: Law

The common mistake with entrepreneurs and commercial leases

I’m working on a new lease for a client this morning. It is a typical new lease where my client is renewing their existing lease and signing a new deed of renunciation. Everything is straightforward as I have gone through the necessary pre-lease queries now and five years ago when I acted for the same… Continue reading The common mistake with entrepreneurs and commercial leases

Self-representing employees and imminent WRC hearings

I am frequently contacted by employees who have submitted a Workplace Relations Commission claim and the hearing is imminent. They are looking for representation and/or advice. It’s too late from my perspective, and I cannot help them. Getting ready for a WRC hearing is a time consuming and demanding task. It involves the preparation of… Continue reading Self-representing employees and imminent WRC hearings

Conveyancing is poetry

I discovered early in my career that many solicitors either liked conveyancing or hated it. In fact, there seemed to be a divide between litigators and conveyancers with different skills, mindsets, and personalities required for each area of activity. I have always liked conveyancing. Assessing and sussing out the provenance-the title-to a particular property intersest… Continue reading Conveyancing is poetry

I made a surprising discovery on Ebay yesterday

I discovered yesterday, by accident, that there are guys on Ebay selling my book “Employment Law in Ireland” for €45. But the new price of the paperback on Amazon.co.uk is only £25. This converts to around €29. A few questions arise: When I thought about this further, I was kind of thrilled. For it indicates… Continue reading I made a surprising discovery on Ebay yesterday

Massive pension tax loophole-€2M tax free contributions permitted

There is a massive tax loophole you should be aware of. A taxation change brought in by the Finance Act 2022 removed a benefit in kind charge on employer contributions to a pension pot for an employee. The Revenue Commissioners have expressed their concern about the change and the consequent loophole. The effect of the… Continue reading Massive pension tax loophole-€2M tax free contributions permitted

“Nuisance” employment claims

I meet employers on a regular basis who are faced with what they believe are frivolous, unfounded, “nuisance” employment claims at the Workplace Relations Commission. Merely because an employer believes a claim has no merit does not mean that that’s the case. However, in my experience a small number of claims are not well founded… Continue reading “Nuisance” employment claims

Free legal advice

The number of requests I receive every day for advice, answers to questions, thorny legal disputes and rows on the various social media platforms would surprise you. TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn. I’m contacted on a frequent basis on all of these websites for, what is essentially, free legal advice. I used to reply to… Continue reading Free legal advice

The most demanding part of a WRC hearing

The most demanding part of a WRC hearing, if you are acting for a client or even arguing your own case, is listening to the evidence of the opposing witness(es). There are many parts of the hearing, including your submission and your direct examination of your own client(s), that can be prepared in advance. But… Continue reading The most demanding part of a WRC hearing