Happy to share that I have been accepted on the Panel of Arbitrators for the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR) / American Arbitration Associaton having completed the necessary training in Dublin recently. Looking forward to working with this prestigious and global organisation.

Happy to support my hard working and wonderful colleague and friend, Denise Waldron BL, for the Bar Council elections 2026. Pictured here also at a Western Circuit night out in Clifden are Grainne Quinn BL and the lovely Catherine Walsh BL (R.I.P). These three used to kill me in Court and then we would forget it again and enjoy a night out – one of the lovely traits of the Bar and sadly a feature under steady erosion as time goes by.

A proud day yesterday for Presentation College Headford when one of its past pupils Andrew Reddington was elected Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council. Meanwhile outgoing Leas Cathaoirleach (and former Cathaoirleach) Mary Hoade and Cllr James Charity both also past pupils paid tribute to Andrew and PCH on a special day for him, his wife and family especially his parents who were in the Chamber. Sometimes we only hear the negatives but listening to them yesterday mentioning their school days in PCH made me reflect on my days in PCH and on the gift the Presentation Order and the wonderful John Bonner and all the teachers gave us in the fine free for everyone school that was and is PCH. Also among other former PCH students present was Maria Walsh MEP as well as many other leaders in business, industry and the professions. It’s worth recalling too that the nuns gave access to the land for Moyne Villa Soccer and Corrib Rugby as well as a girls GAA Pitch that was badly needed.

What a wonderful day we had on Friday at the Bar of Ireland Mediation Conference 2026. It was a privilege as Chair of the AADR Committee to have had so many high profile participants in what was a thorougly enjoyable day and evening. Mediation is now at the heart of what we do in Civil Justice and long may it continue.

Not much more than a week out from the booked out Bar of Ireland Mediation Conference on June 5th. It is hard to keep up with all the developments in mediation in Ireland this week. A new Practise Direction by the President of the High Court Barniville P has been issued PD 141. It brings together the whole range of mediation obligations under the Mediation Act, the Family Law Acts and the Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004. The main focus is on the need to advise clients of mediation and file the necessary pre proceedings Statutory Declaration under Section 14 and to satisfy the court that this has been done prior to applying for a hearing date. It follows the legislative topography in terms of voluntariness rather than referencing an inherent power of the High Court to direct mediation as was held to exist by Twomey J in Burke v O Connell [2026] IEHC 314. The new practise direction is also a very useful summary of the overall position of mediation across civil litigation up to the 20th May 2026. It supplements rather than replaces existing practise directions in particular lists.

A very impressive CPD event last evening at the Gaffney Room, Bar of Ireland organised by Liam Vanmechelen BL of the Arbitration and ADR Committee of the Bar- “Between Litigation and Arbitration: Understanding the High Court’s Role in the Arbitral Process”, Chaired by The Hon. Mr Justice David Barniville, President of the High Court with our excellent Speakers:
Caren Geoghegan SC
Peggy O’Rourke SC
Patrick Mair BL

A great UCG celebration last evening at the Law Society of Ireland. Great to meet Uachtarán na hÉireann and the many Graduates of UCG/ University of Galway who were present including several imminent members of the Judiciary, Academia, Business People, Barristers, Solicitors and many more. It was also great to meet another Western President (of the Law Society) Rosemary Loftus. Many great days were had – in hand to hand combat in the circuit courts in Ballina and Galway and it was so nice to meet everyone again.

Delighted to take up the kind offer of Prof Owen McIntryre UCC to speak at yesterdays Law & The Environment Conference on my PhD research area of carbon rights and in particular the emerging EU Carbon Farming / CRCF Regulation EU 2024/3012 and Delegated Act on methodologies. Really enjoyed it. Special thanks to my supervisors at University of Galway Prof Padraic Kenna and Dr Ronan Kennedy for their ongoing support.

Mediation a win/win in Construction Disputes
What a way to finish off a busy term – 12 hours of Mediation in a multi party constuction dispute that ended with a comprehensive signed settlement. Five Defendants. Plenary session for 20 minutes to start proceedings. That set a nice positive tone and the next 11.5 hours saw me get my steps without noticing. Incredible buzz driving the short distance home knowing the grief we managed to spare good people on all sides from. Great assistance from all the solicitors, barristers and experts. This case would have taken two weeks in the High Court.