Elections are held annually and, since 2022, the election process has been by electronic voting.

Council members represent the variety of firms found in urban and rural areas. The Council has statutory functions, some of which are delegated to a range of committees appointed by the Council.

The Council decides the strategy and policy of the Law Society in the interests of the solicitors’ profession and the public. In addition, it governs the representation of members, the education and admission of solicitors, the regulation of practice, and the protection of compliance.

The Council met formally on ten occasions during the year. Additional meetings to deal with relevant issues are arranged during the year, as required. Meetings are held using a hybrid format that facilitates both in person and online attendance. This allows for the full participation of all Council members. The Council also meets as required, fully in person, for workshops and special meetings.

In this new era of transparency and reporting procedures, the director general presents a report to Council at each meeting. In addition this year, each Law Society director attended at a Council meeting to outline the functions, present workings, and strategy for their department for the next 12 months.

The Council deals with any policy issues that arise during the year, and debates and approves significant projects for the Law Society and the profession.

This year, Council has initiated the development of the strategy and vision for the Law Society for the years 2024 to 2028. The Law Society has retained Genesis, a company with expertise in this area, to assist the Council in this task. Members of Council are contributing through workshops, discussion and debate to the development of the future strategy and vision.

During the year, its members also debated, considered and decided on issues of concern to the profession in relation to legal practice

President, Council of the Law Society of Ireland

Council of the Law Society

For the Council Year ending Thursday 9 November.

President: Maura Derivan

Senior vice-president: Barry MacCarthy

Junior vice-president: Rosemarie Loftus

Council members

Christopher Callan, Justine Carty, Helen Coughlan, Brendan Cunningham, Maeve Delargy, Joan Doran, Paul Egan SC, Stuart Gilhooly SC, Richard Hammond SC, Eamonn Harrington, Bill Holohan SC, Siún Hurley, Aine Hynes SC, Paul Keane, Liam A Kennedy SC, Morette Kinsella, Martin Lawlor, Aidan Leahy, Gary Lee, Sonia McEntee, Kate McKenna, Brian McMullin, Fiona McNulty, Susan Martin, Tony O’Sullivan, Valerie Peart, Carol Plunkett, Brendan J Twomey, Keith Walsh SC

Past-presidents: James Cahill, Michelle Ní Longáin, Michele O’Boyle SC

Provincial delegates: Sonya M Lanigan (Leinster), Shane McCarthy (Munster), David Higgins (Connaught), Garry Clarke (Ulster)

Dublin Solicitors Bar Association representatives: Niall Cawley, Matthew Kenny, Avril Mangan

Southern Law Association representatives: Robert Baker, Joan Byrne, Emma Meagher Neville, Veronica Neville, Gerald O’Flynn

Law Society of Northern Ireland representatives: Brian Archer, Brigid Napier, Suzanne Rice, Darren Toombs, Rowan White