We do not just advise on the law - we help shape it.

Public Sector

Holmes, since its foundation in 1970, has been a leading advisor to public sector entities in Ireland. We have extensive experience of working with government departments, local authorities, health authorities and state and semi-state bodies across the range of Government and public sector activities, including justice, infrastructure, transport, health, industrial development and standards, utilities and sectoral and professional regulators.

Key Contact

Pat McInerney

Partner

Public Sector and Commercial Litigation Lead

As a long-standing advisor to many public sector bodies in all streams of public sector work, Holmes offers its public sector clients an unparalleled level of expertise and experience.

Our clients value our straightforward and pragmatic advice. Our public sector group is multi-disciplinary, offering technical expertise on a range of issues from various practices in the firm. We work in an integrated way and approach issues from a variety of perspectives, considering the wider economic and legal context.

Our public sector group is known for their broad experience advising on public and regulatory law at national, European and international levels, including compliance with statutory obligations, the exercise of powers and functions to the interpretation of primary and secondary legislation, due process, ultra vires issues and judicial review proceedings.

We have a long history of advising clients on all areas of public and administrative law including public procurement, tribunals of inquiry and public inquiries concerning environmental and planning law. This includes acting in Judicial Reviews, Statutory Appeals and Cases Stated. We also advise public bodies on Freedom of Information law (“FOI”), Data Subject Access Requests (“DSARs”), statutory complaints and on governance issues.

Above all, we listen to our clients. Government, the public service and semi-state organisations all face unprecedented pressure to demonstrate transparency, efficiency and value for money. While there is no doubt that the Irish public sector faces tough demands and decisions, it also is being presented with opportunities to drive innovation and challenge old perceptions. Our public sector clients need in-depth, cross-sectoral experience to help them deal with and address their emerging challenges.

Sector specific regulation grows increasingly complex. Clients need lawyers that understand the industry, the technical language involved and can answer complex issues without the cost of extensive research and investigation. That is why our skills are so valued.

Trusted By

Insurance litigation, defamation and environmental disputes are key areas of strength at Holmes O’Malley Sexton, which is also increasingly active in contentious construction matters. The team, which is based across the firm’s offices in Dublin and Limerick, also regular...

Pat McInerney

Dispute Resolution | Legal 500 EMEA 2020

‘Pat McInerney is a generalist of no limit because his good sense knows no boundaries.’

Pat McInerney

Real Estate | Legal 500 EMEA 2020

Holmes O’Malley Sexton’s insurance practice, which is based in the firm’s Limerick office, is led by Robert Kennedy. The firm has substantial experience of defending clients against insurance claims, having acted for a number of prominent insurers.

Pat McInerney

Insurance | Legal 500 EMEA 2020