Preasráitis
Government appoints eight members to the Legal Services Regulatory Authority
Foilsithe
An t-eolas is déanaí
Teanga: Níl leagan Gaeilge den mhír seo ar fáil.
Foilsithe
An t-eolas is déanaí
Teanga: Níl leagan Gaeilge den mhír seo ar fáil.
Government has today (11 December) appointed eight members to the Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA), including six new appointments and two re-appointments.
The 11-member Authority is responsible for the regulation of the legal professions in Ireland. The majority of members (6) are lay persons who are nominated by independent, non-legal interest bodies as set out in section 9(4) of the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015.
The government appointed Mr. Tom Boland, who was nominated by the Higher Education Authority, to be the Authority’s new chairperson. He will replace the outgoing Chairperson Dr Don Thornhill, who has held the position since the establishment of the Authority in 2016.
Commenting on the appointments, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said:
“The LSRA plays an important role in supporting the fair and effective administration of justice, protecting the public interest and promoting the rights of consumers relating to the provision of legal services.
“Since its establishment in 2016, the LSRA has ushered in effective systems and protocols to ensure accountability and transparency within our legal services sector.
“I am delighted to welcome those who have been newly and reappointed to the Authority including the incoming Chairperson Mr. Tom Boland. Their experience and expertise will build on the eight years of progress already achieved.
“Following government approval, I have issued letters to the respective appointees. I have also written to the incoming chairperson of the Authority to confirm his appointment to that position.”
The eight appointees/re-appointees are:
Ms. Barry and Mr. Murphy are being re-appointed while all other appointments are first time appointments. Under section 10 of the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015, appointments to the Authority will be for a term of 4 years, after which they will be eligible for re-appointment for an additional 4 years, provided that they do not hold office for more than eight years in all.
Minister McEntee added:
“I would like to thank the outgoing Chairperson, Dr Don Thornhill, and all of the outgoing LSRA members for their hard work and dedication.
“I commend their accomplishments – in particular the publication of reports looking at how legal education and training can be reformed and on the barriers that individuals face in trying to enter into the legal profession.
“The Authority’s implementation plan to address the barriers facing many newly qualified and early career solicitors and barristers is a key first step in widening and increase access to education, training, and career opportunities to suitably qualified people of all backgrounds.”
The Minister for Justice has today received Cabinet approval to:
(i) approve the appointment of eight persons to be members of the Legal Services Regulatory Authority, as agreed under Government Decision S180/20/10/2095 of 8 October, 2024, and following approval of the required Resolutions by Dáil Éireann on 15 October, 2024 and by Seanad Éireann on 24 October, 2024;
(ii) appoint one of the lay members of the Authority as its Chairperson.
The Legal Services Regulatory Authority is responsible for the regulation of the provision of legal services by legal practitioners. The 2015 Act sets out, at section 13(4), the six statutory objectives of the Authority: