We currently provide full-service legal services to over thirty Irish public sector and semi-State bodies nationally. Our public sector client base spans a broad range of sectors including regulation, education, finance, tax, transport and the environment.
Several our public sector clients have been represented by Holmes since their establishment, which is testament to our commercial and experienced advice in this area.
Experts in statutory interpretation, a core part of our engagement is ensuring public sector bodies act intra vires their statutory powers when discharging their public function. This includes advising such bodies on all aspects of their day-to-day legal administrative functions as well as advising on matters of interpretation of general public law, including the Constitution of Ireland and the transposition of European Communities Law in the area. Specific examples include freedom of information law, Access to Information on the Environment (AIE) Regulations, Law Enforcement Directive, public procurement and data protection law.
Members of the team also advise on the full range of dispute resolution and investigative processes within the context of public administrative law, including judicial review, public inquiries, statutory appeals and tribunal processes.
Meet the Team
Tríona Walsh
Senior Associate
Insurance Litigation and Dispute Resolution
Harry Fehily
Managing Partner
Litigation and Mediation
Michael Murphy
Partner
Insurance Litigation, Professional Negligence and Dispute Resolution
Lorraine Power
Partner
Commercial Property, Construction, Banking, Finance, Regulatory and Compliance
Isabel Treacy
Senior Associate
Commercial Property, Regulatory and Compliance, Landlord and Tenant
Michael Walshe
Partner
Commercial Contracts Corporate Governance and Advisory Employment, Pensions and Benefits Mergers acquisitions and Investments Regulatory Compliance Restructuring and Insolvency Litigation and Disputes
The team's wide-ranging client base includes educational institutions, regulatory bodies, local authorities, and other state and semi-state bodies. Practice head(s): Harry Fehily, Pat McInerney and Donal Creaton.
Donal Creaton
Public Sector | Legal 500 EMEA 2021
The team's wide-ranging client base includes educational institutions, regulatory bodies, local authorities, and other state and semi-state bodies. Practice head(s): Harry Fehily, Pat McInerney Donal Creaton.
Harry Fehily
Public Sector | Legal 500 EMEA 2021
With a 'good knowledge of public sector activities', Holmes is particularly experienced in acting for public sector clients in judicial review proceedings, as well as regularly advising on public procurement matters.
Public Sector | Legal 500 EMEA 2021
Good knowledge of public sector activities. Designated partner as a one-stop shop for all our needs.’
Public Sector | Legal 500 EMEA 2021
The practice provide sound legal advice at the earliest stage, which helps formulate the approach to issues that arise and decide whether to negotiate a resolution at an early stage and avoid costly litigation or proceed to prosecute/defend any action.
Public Sector | Legal 500 EMEA 2021
The firm always provides sound, competent and professional legal advice and representation and does so promptly.
Public Sector | Legal 500 EMEA 2023
The firm has excellent knowledge of the public sector, especially public procurement. They are readily available to assist with any clarification or query.
Public Sector | Legal 500 EMEA 2023
