Latest News

“The Opinion Line” – The Proper Application of Internal Workplace Procedures

I was recently invited by the radio station, 96FM, to provide legal advice on its Opinion Line Show, who receive frequent queries from listeners on employment law matters.

james
17 April 2018

UK Supreme Court declares Employment Tribunal ‘unlawful’

The UK Supreme Court has declared the requirement for Employment tribunal claimants to pay a fee in order to bring a claim to be unlawful.

james
1 March 2018

Gaffney Solicitors Sponsor Cobh Golf Club Golfer of The Year

Gaffney Solicitors were delighted to sponsor the Golfer of The Year competition in Cobh Golf Club, which was won by Conor “Red” McDowall for an unprecedented third time in four years.

james
27 February 2018

Gaffney Solicitors Sponsorship of CSN Basketball Team

Gaffney Solicitors are delighted to sponsor the Colaiste an Spioraid Naoimh basketball team, a school that tried their level best to educate me and my…

james
27 February 2018

Tenants Win Compensation after Landlord Discriminates on Housing Assistance Ground

Three tenants have been awarded compensation after the Workplace Relations Commission found they had been discriminated against by a landlord who refused to accept the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP).

james
23 August 2017
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General Data Protection Regulation

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will come into force on the 25th May 2018, replacing the existing data protection framework under the EU Data Protection Directive. In Ireland, the main law dealing with data protection legislation is the Data Protection Act, 1988 which was amended by the Data Protection (Amendment) Act 2003

james
12 July 2017

Irish Supreme Court Decision on Rights of Asylum-Seekers to Seek Employment

On 30th May 2017 the Irish Supreme Court decision on the right of asylum-seekers to work, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, expressed its hope that…

james
4 July 2017

Protected Disclosures Act, 2014

The Protected Disclosures Act, 2014 (“the Act)” is designed to protect workers in all sectors of employment. The concept of “worker” includes employees (public and…

james
27 May 2016

Au Pairs – Employees or Not?

A Spanish childminder who won a landmark case against an Irish host family to be treated as an employee has said she hopes au pairs…

james
8 May 2016

Residential Tenancies Amendment Act, 2015

The Residential Tenancies Amendment Act, 2015 was signed into law On the 4th December 2015. The Act provides for a series of major reforms to…

james
6 May 2016

Transfer of Undertakings Regulations

The European Communities (Protection of Employees on Transfer of Undertakings) Regulations 2003 (the “Regulations”) applies on the transfer of an undertaking, a business or part of an…

james
24 April 2016

Force Majeure Leave – What it is and is not

Force Majeure leave is often misunderstood by both employers and employees alike. The Parental Leave Act 1998, as amended by the Parental Leave (Amendment) Act 2006 provides an employee with a legal right to leave work in times of family crisis and this is known as Force Majeure leave.

james
20 April 2016

General Data Protection Regulation Approved

The General Data Protection Regulation has been agreed at the EU Parliament. New EU data protection rules, which aim to give citizens back control of their personal data and create a high, uniform level of data protection across the EU fit for the digital era was given their final approval by MEPs yesterday.

james
19 April 2016

Religion in the Workplace

As a result of Ireland’s increasing cutural and ethnic diversity, employers have hired and continue to hire employees from a variety of countries and with differing religious backgrounds. Here are a few answers to frequently asked questions.

james
19 April 2016

Hello World Wide Web !!

If you’re a frequent visitor, you may notice that we have a brand new website. We’re excited about our new home on the web and hope you’ll check back often for updated content and to keep up with all the latest news from our firm.

james
7 April 2016

Employment Law Compliance Act 2008

The Employment Compliance Act 2008 (“the Act”) has a number of functions and has far-reaching consequences for rogue employers.

james
6 April 2016

Paternity Leave (Budget 2016)

Budget 2016 saw the announcement of statutory paternity leave, something that has been on the cards for a number of years, but which now appears close to publication.

james
2 April 2016

Protection of Employees (Temporary Agency Work) Act 2012

The Protection of Employees (Temporary Agency Work) Act 2012 was enacted to give effect to directive 2008 The operative Section of the Act is Section 6…

james
27 March 2016

Public Holiday Entitlements

The general position is governed by the Organisation of Working Time (Determination of Pay for Holidays) Regulations 1997 (the “Regulations”).

james
23 March 2016

Dismissal Law in Ireland

In the Republic of Ireland an employee who satisfies the legal qualifying criteria has a right not to be dismissed unfairly. In general, protection against…

james
12 March 2016

Workplace Relations Act 2015

From 1 October the new system will commence and any claim submitted on 1 October or after will proceed under the new Rules

james
12 March 2016

Defamation in Ireland

The Defamation Act, 2009 abolishes the Defamation Act, 1961 in its entirety. It provides for the abolition of the separate torts of libel and slander – to be replaced by unified “tort of defamation” in respect of which publication, by any means, of a defamatory statement to a third party shall be actionable.

james
27 May 2014