Policy & Law Reform
A New Agenda for Justice
The Law Society is committed to participating in discussion and advocacy on the administration of justice and the effective implementation of public policy that will serve the needs of Irish society today and into the future.
A New Agenda for Justice sets out four priority areas that need commitment to delivering ambitious reforms that will bring real benefits to the justice system, the legal sector and wider society.
Read an overview of A New Agenda for Justice below or download the full policy recommendations.
Strengthen Family Justice
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Resource the ambitious plans in the Family Courts Act 2024
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Introduce legislation to provide for the recognition of pre-nuptial agreements
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Fund the Child Law Project to shine a light on child care proceedings
Adequately Fund Legal Aid
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Ensure future viability of the legal aid system
Remove Barriers to Enduring Power of Attorney
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Broaden digital approach to EPA applications with the use of editable, electronic forms
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Accommodate emergency situations
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Amend legislation to ensure it serves the intended purpose
Safeguard small and regional practices
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Establish a rural practice support framework
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Provide targeted business supports
Leverage Technology and Data to Deliver Better Public Services
- Roll out a digital plan to underpin a modern, larger courts system
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Better data collection to improve service delivery
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Establish an electronic document filing system to deliver a paperless court service
Deliver Modern Courts Infrastructure
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Address physical condition and accessibility issues of the courts
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Increase court and judicial staff in line with the recommendations of the OECD and the Report of the Judicial Planning Working Group
Streamline Property Transactions
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Improve process for Registration of Property Title
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Standardise Local Authority Requests
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Recognise Established Non-conforming Developments
Create a Shared eConveyancing Vision
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Drive the implementation of eConveyancing so that it is fully implemented by the end of 2027
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Increase collaboration and transparency on the government-led eConveyancing project
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Prioritise legislative amendments to facilitate eConveyancing
Enhance solicitor training opportunities to promote greater diversity across the profession
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Ensure SUSI grant schemes are compatible with the Law Society’s financial supports for training
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Extend the SUSI grant to the Law Society hybrid programmes to widen the pathways to solicitor training
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Develop an innovative national apprenticeship programme in collaboration with the Apprenticeship Alliance to widen the pool of training organisations and solicitors
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Establish a specific Study Visa Scheme for international students to secure legal education and training contracts
