Participants at the 2026 In-House and Public Sector Panel Discussion in the Law Society
See a selection of the latest news and insights relevant to the sector below.
- The Director of Public Prosecutions has reported a significant rise in criminal court activity and investigation files, with the volume and complexity of its work continuing to increase. Read the article on the DPP
- Agri-food watchdog An Rialálaí Agraibhia has appointed solicitor Ciara O'Gorman to head its new legal-and-research unit. The regulator says the unit's establishment will strengthen its in-house expertise as its regulatory, enforcement, research, and policy responsibilities continue to evolve. Read the An Rialálaí Agraibhia article
- Odysseus was warned: ‘You and your crew may still reach home, suffering all the way, if you only have the power to curb their wild desire and curb your own.’ This is equally valid when it comes to navigating the use of AI in legal practice. Fiona Campbell and Shauna Gillan traverse the wine-dark sea in a recent Gazette article. Read the article on AI in legal practice
- Voting in the Law Society Council elections opens on 2 October and closes at 5pm on 15 October. This is your opportunity to influence the future direction of the Law Society and ensure the profession is represented by a Council that reflects its membership. All Law Society members are encouraged to vote and make their voice count. Learn more about Council and the election
14 October: Well Within the Law Festival West
The Well Within the Law Festival has expanded beyond Dublin. Designed for solicitors and legal professionals, the event will take place in Galway’s Radisson RED and will provide an opportunity to connect with colleagues, reflect on the evolving demands of practice, and explore how we can move from resilience to adaptability in today's legal landscape.
Other events and training
Join in-house and public sector solicitors and barristers on 7 October for this year's In-house Annual Conference, exploring “Navigating Regulation in Ireland: Balancing Competition, Innovation and Compliance.” Hear from senior leaders across Ireland's regulatory landscape as they discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by technology, AI and communications.
Earn 3.5 hours CPD while gaining practical, cross-disciplinary regulatory insights relevant to the Irish in-house legal community.
Heading to Copenhagen for the IBA Annual Conference? Ireland for Law (IFL) is hosting a casual networking reception on 7 October from 5pm to 7pm at The Globe Irish Pub. Drop in for complimentary drinks and light bites, meet the Ireland for Law team, and connect with Irish and international legal professionals and chat about why Ireland is the natural, English-speaking common law choice for international business and dispute resolution in the EU.
- RSVP to info@irelandforlaw.com
Applications are now open for the next intake of the Micro-credential in Strategic In-House Practice, beginning 14 October. Tailored for in-house counsel, the programme explores how legal professionals can build and develop their practice while playing a greater role in supporting organisational growth and decision-making.
Taking place on Tuesday, 20 October from 1pm, the third webinar in the 2026 Regulation Matters series of lunchtime webinars is focused on Ethics and the In-house Lawyer. This webinar provides 1 client care and professional standards CPD and is suitable for solicitors and barristers working in-house in the public or private sector.
Beginning in March 2027, the Diploma in In-House Practice is designed to provide in-house lawyers with a comprehensive understanding of the varied, challenging, and stimulating work that confronts those working in business and in the public sector.
