UCD’s Centre for Constitutional Studies is to host an information seminar on new legislation on assisted decision-making on Thursday 27 April.

A distinguished panel of speakers will include the President of the High Court Mr Justice David Barniville.

The event takes place the day after the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Act 2022 and the Decision Support Service (DSS) that will oversee the operation of the new system come into force.

Other speakers include:

• Professor Eoin Carolan SC (event organiser),
• Áine Hynes SC (St John Solicitors),
• Orla Keane (General Counsel Mental Health Commission/Decision Support Service),
• Fiona McNulty (Mason Hayes & Curran), and
• Aoife Mulligan (barrister).

Wardship scrapped

The act marks the biggest change for decades in Ireland's legal framework for people with capacity issues.

It abolishes the current wards-of-court system, and replaces it with a new framework aimed at maximising autonomy for people who need support to make decisions about their personal, property and financial affairs.

The in-person seminar takes place in the UCD Sutherland School of Law, from 1.30pm to 5.30pm. There is a fee to attend, and registration is now open.