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New head of research at law-reform body

The Law Reform Commission has appointed Siobhán Ní Chúlacháin to lead its research team.

Ní Chúlachaín has practised at the Bar for more than 20 years, in the areas of judicial review, criminal, extradition, and human-rights law.

The commission says that her work to date has encompassed complex legal challenges within both the Irish and European justice systems, with a track record of legal analysis in both tested and untested contexts.

It adds that, as a former co-chair of the Irish Council of Civil Liberties and vice-president of the International Federation for Human Rights, she has a long-standing engagement with human-rights and equality issues, and a commitment to law reform.

The barrister is a regular media contributor on both English and Irish-language media.

Strategic leadership

As the commission’s director of research, she will provide strategic leadership and direction to the body’s research team across its work, with a particular focus on upcoming projects about adult safeguarding, victim compensation, and unincorporated associations, which have already been the subject of engagement with a wide range of stakeholders.

Ní Chúlacháin described it as “a genuine honour and privilege” to be appointed to the role.

“I look forward to working with both the team and the commission at a significant and dynamic time for law reform,” she concluded.

The role of the Law Reform Commission is to keep the law under review, and to conduct research with a view to reforming the law.