News

A number of recent news items relevant for in-house solicitors are listed below.

• The Gazette reports on plans to centralise trade mark applications at an EU level, in a move that the Minister for Business, Enterprise, and Innovation, Heather Humphreys, says will provide greater legal certainty for companies. Read about it on Gazette.ie
• Legal Disruption 2019, a new event tailored for in-house practitioners will take place in Dublin this February. Organised by the European Company Lawyers Association (ECLA), the event will cover key themes for in-house practice, including the future of in-house counsel, applying AI to legal tasks, blockchain and more. See details of Legal Disruption 2019
• Certain ways of thinking about issues can adversely affect mental health. Lawcare has useful advice to help recognise and correct this. Read Unhelpful thinking styles
• Practitioners are alerted to the recent Court of Appeal decision in Iarnród Éireann / Irish Rail v Barry McKelvey. This signals a possible new approach from the Court of Appeal on an employee’s right to legal representation during an internal disciplinary hearing. Read analysis on legal representation for employees
• The drafting of legislation to establish a central register of beneficial ownership is at an advanced stage, the Gazette reports. Read an update on the proposed register of beneficial ownership

Resources

Find some useful resources for in-house solicitors here.

• In-house solicitors can find a range of resources to address Brexit - including papers, analysis, information on state supports, and more – on the Law Society website. Access Brexit resources for solicitors
• Updated guidance on the European Court of Human Rights has been published by the Council of Bars & Law Societies of Europe (CCBE). This will be of assistance to in-house practitioners whose employers may be a party to a case in Strasbourg. See The European Court of Human Rights - Questions & Answers for Lawyers
• The 2019 Member Services Directory is now online. This updated directory provides detailed information on the work of the Law Society, and the benefits that solicitors enjoy when they choose to become a member, including training, wellbeing advice, and career support. Read the new Member Services Directory

Training

The Diploma Centre and Law Society Professional Training provide training for in-house solicitors in the private and public sectors.

• The In-house and Public SectorCommittee’s 2019 Panel Discussion will be held on 16 May, from 2 pm to 5 pm, in the Law Society of Ireland. Details including the Brochure and Booking Form will be made available in the coming month.
• The Diploma Centre's popular Certificate in Data Protection Practice returns in February. This in-depth course has been revised to take account of the General Data Protection Regulation and other key changes in a fast-moving field. Discover the Certificate in Data Protection Practice
• A new course offered by Law Society Finuas Skillnet focuses on coaching staff, applying psychological insight to help practitioners to develop their own coaching style. Book Coaching Skills for Managers 2019

Social Media

In-house solicitors can connect and network with colleagues across organisations using a private LinkedIn group.

• Access the In-House LinkedIn Group

The In-House and Public Sector Committee

The In-House and Public Sector Committee aims to represent the views and promote the interests of this segment of the profession, while supporting the Law Society in the exercise of its representative, educational and regulatory roles as they relate to the in-house sector. Log in to find out about the In-House and Public Sector Committee.