Speakers and organisers of the Essential Solicitors’ Update Kerry 2017, which took place at the Ballygarry House Hotel on Thursday 7 September. Front row (from left to right): Liam Fitzgerald (Liam R Fitzgerald Solicitors, Co. Dublin), Stuart Gilhooly (President, Law Society of Ireland). Back row (from left to right): John O’Shea (Property Registration Authority), John Galvin (Secretary, Kerry Law Society), Katherine Kane (Law Society Skillnet), Kathy McKenna (Law Society of Ireland), Attracta O’Regan (Law Society Skillnet), Felix McKenna (Global Risk Solutions), Patrick Mann (President, Kerry Law Society), Richard Hammond (Hammond Good Solicitors, Cork). Photo credit: Dominick Walsh Photography

• Major legal conference drawing Kerry solicitors for major updates on legal changes and issues faced by Kerry residents
• Key local initiatives relating to buying and selling homes and cyber security to be discussed
• Conference is a joint initiative of the Law Society Skillnet and Kerry Law Society

Over 120 legal eagles from across Kerry gathered at the Ballygarry House Hotel in Tralee on Thursday 7 September 2017 for a major legal conference which updates local solicitors on the latest changes, challenges and trends in Irish and EU law.

The conference, Essential Solicitors’ Update Kerry 2017, featured expert speakers on a range of topics, including cybercrime, conveyancing, and home repossession cases.

Tralee solicitor Patrick Mann, president of the Kerry Law Society, said, “Every aspect of the law – from buying and selling homes to data protection – is becoming more complex and we are focussed on ensuring that local solicitors have the most complete and up-to-date knowledge on these important topics for their clients.”

He noted, “The legal world, despite its reputation, is evolving at quite a rapid rate - just consider the emerging areas of law like data protection, cybercrime and renewable energy – issues that were rarely discussed even up to a few years ago. These are not distant, far off issues, these are now issues that affect the everyday lives of many Kerry businesses and residents.”

“As business owners and members of the Kerry business community, the conference is also an excellent forum for solicitors to come together to seek and share advice on behalf of and for the benefit of their clients and the local community.”

John Galvin is the secretary of the Kerry Law Society. His firm is based in Ashe Street, Tralee. “The impact of changes to the law around key local industries such as tourism, farming and commercial real estate are complex and demanding, however it is essential for local firms to be ready to brief clients with expertise and the latest knowledge.”

“Even seemingly everyday tasks such as buying and selling of homes requires regular updates and our members report it is a hot topic in this county at the moment.” 

“Linked to this, there is an important role for solicitors in representing clients with the banks during home repossession cases. Latest Courts Service data says that there were 21* properties the subject of possession orders in 2016. These are often highly personal, emotive and challenging cases for our members to deal with, and I am personally pleased to have ensured that this topic is high on the conference agenda.”

“Local solicitors are often at the frontline of many of those big life moments in people’s lives –buying or selling a house, making wills or entering into family law cases, we are regularly there to support our clients in making better informed decisions. That is why this conference is so crucial to the wider community we serve.”