Author Archives: Burns Nowlan

New Road Safety rules come into effect from the 1st of May

THE IRISH TIMES 12.04.2014 By Fiach Kelly Drivers caught texting and using mobiles or smartphones, even if they are on a hands-free kit, will be given a mandatory court summons and a fine  instead of just penalty points under new road safety regulations. The new rules, which come into effect from May 1st, mean anyone…

IRISH LAW AWARDS 2014 FINALISTS

We are delighted to announce that we have been shortlisted for the Litigation Case of the Year by the Irish Law Awards. The Litigation Case of the Year Award honours a legal team which has demonstrated a sense of excellence in litigation expertise in 2013. Recipients will be honoured on the 2nd. May 2014 at the Annual…

Gardaí’s power of arrest

The power of arrest may only be exercised with the use of such force “as is reasonable in the circumstances”. The Supreme Court has ruled in a majority decision that a man’s arrest for drink driving was unlawful because he was unjustifiably handcuffed after arrest on foot of a Garda sergeant’s own routine policy of…

Increase in monetary jurisdictions of the civil courts

An increase in the monetary jurisdiction of the civil courts took effect on the 3rd of February 2014. The changes are provided for in Section 2(1) and Part 3 of the Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2013:- the jurisdiction of the District Court in civil proceedings will be limited to €15,000 the jurisdiction…

Good news for Tenants – security for deposits

Money paid as deposit on rented accommodation will be held by a third party under new rules to protect tenants from losing their deposits at the end of their tenancy where landlords withhold, without reason, the deposit paid when a letting agreement is being signed. The Junior Minister responsible for housing and planning, Jan O…