The Irish Prison Service (IPS) is currently seeking solicitors or barristers who are interested in being part of a panel of legal representatives for prisoner appeals.

Panel members would represent prisoners at an independent Appeal Tribunal, at which prisoners can appeal against findings or sanctions imposed for breaches of prison discipline.

The tribunal was set up under section 16 of the Prisons Act 2007, and prisoners are entitled to be legally represented at an appeal hearing.

Legal services

In accordance with the relevant provisions of the act, the IPS must establish and maintain a panel of legal representatives or law firms who satisfy the criteria outlined in the terms and conditions, and are willing to provide legal services in accordance with the provisions of the legislation and the scheme.

The IPS panel will last for three years, and inclusion on the panel does not guarantee that any individual will be called upon to represent a prisoner.

Interested barristers or solicitors, currently practising and with a minimum of three years’ practice experience, are being invited to apply for inclusion on this panel.

Application form

The application form, applicable fee and the terms and conditions of the scheme, are available on the IPS website.

The service says that expressions of interest should be made through the official application form, with any relevant documentation, and sent to appealstribunal@irishprisons.ie.

The closing date for receipt of expressions of interest is close of business on Friday 1 March 2024.