Conference Chairperson & Opening Remarks

Brendan Barrett, Communications Consultant

Prima Facie Stage – Rules and Procedures Explained

Speaker: Eoin McGlinchey, Partner in the ByrneWallace Litigation and Dispute Resolution Team

• Grounds and origins of complaints
• What is a prima facie decision?
• Legal principles in making prima facie decision
• What to do if a complaint is made about you
• Procedure -Importance of response at prima facia consideration stage
• Seeking legal representation advice
• Mediation – its role in the screening process; different provisions for different professions

Sanctions & Publications

Speaker: Barry Donovan, Barrister at Law, The Law Library

• Statutory process for imposition of sanction – role of Councils and High Court
• Sanctions available
• Purpose of sanctions
• Factors determining appropriate sanction, e.g. aggravating & mitigating factors
• Recent case law

Interim Suspension Orders (Pending Inquiry)

Speaker: Patrick Martin McCann SC, The Law Library

• Circumstances where interim suspension orders are sought
• Procedures – Council/ Board and High Court
• Criteria for granting
• Suspension of registrants – where do you stand?

The Inquiry

Speaker: Cathal Ó Curraín, Barrister at Law, The Law Library

• Processes pre-inquiry
• Pre-inquiry preparation – what are the essentials?
• Case management, call over hearing
• Hearing practicalities you must know
• Role of the Legal Assessor
• Applications for hearing to be heard in private
• Dealing with minors in the context of the Inquiry
• Recent fitness to practise cases – key details and outcomes to use for future cases

The Panel and Witness Requirements and Responsibilities

Speaker: Ciara Hanratty, Senior Associate, Carson McDowell

• Who is the panel made up of – who can you expect to be facing?
• The difference between witness of fact and expert witness
• What is expected of witnesses?

Impact And Damages of The Inquiry – Public And Private Hearings

Speaker: Colm Ó Néill, Barrister at Law, The Law Library

• Public or private inquiry – what determines a case’s status and whether it’s heard publicly or privately?
• Data protection issues – freedom of information
• Publication of inquiry and its ramifications
• Patient confidentiality
• Imposing sanctions and publication of sanctions
• Notification to third parties and other regulators

Impact of Non-Compliance: Legal Consequences for Failure to Meet Competency Requirements

Speaker: Mariana Verdes, Barrister at Law, The Law Library

Serious Misconduct in the Workplace

Speaker: Colleen Cleary, Founder of CC Solicitors

• How to respond to serious misconduct in the workplace, obligations, adherence to policies and procedures and application of fair procedures
• Application of Protected Disclosures Act 2014 – 2022 in the workplace
• Misconduct in the legal profession