The Chief State Solicitor’s Office (CSSO) held its annual client conference at Farmleigh House on 11 November 2023. The conference, titled ‘Principles in Practice’, was attended by senior delegates from central Government departments and offices.

During her opening address, Chief State Solicitor Maria Browne (pictured) emphasised the significance of the legal framework within which the Government operates and its impact on commercial, property, and litigation matters.

The conference addressed three major aspects of State legal practice, and senior CSSO solicitors presented on each under the ‘Principles in Practice’ theme.

The first plenary session was hosted by the CSSO’s Commercial and Employment Law Division, with presentations on the pivotal elements of green and social procurement, and its practical implications for State clients.

The State Property Division discussed land-law principles and recent legislative reform, intra-State transactions, and the implementation of Government policy and regulation by contract.

State litigation principles

The final session considered the practical implementation of the State Litigation Principles. It was hosted by the CSSO’s litigation divisions (specifically Administrative Law, Constitutional and State Litigation, and Justice). Each session was followed by a panel discussion and Q&A.

Breakout sessions during and after the conference provided space for attendees to network with peers and further explore conference themes in the context of the Government’s strategic objectives.

The day concluded with a closing address by Attorney General Rossa Fanning SC, who discussed the rationale behind the State Litigation Principles. He emphasised the considerable benefits of adhering to the principles whenever the State engages in litigation.

Commenting on the event, Chief State Solicitor Maria Browne said: “The conference was a great opportunity for us to meet with our clients in an informal setting and share different perspectives on the practical implementation of the various principles at play in our collective delivery of service.”