Civil Legal Aid: From Review to Reform
by FLAC in collaboration with the Trinity College Dublin School of Law
The 'Civil Legal Aid: From Review to Reform' conference, organized by FLAC in collaboration with the Trinity College Dublin School of Law, is a day-long event scheduled for Monday, 12th January 2026, at the Arts Building, Trinity College Dublin. This gathering aims to unite Ireland’s access to justice stakeholders and experts to discuss the Review of the Civil Legal Aid Scheme and explore pathways toward meaningful reform.
The conference will feature a comprehensive program, including keynote addresses and panel discussions. Notable sessions encompass a keynote address by Prof. Síofra O’Leary, former President of the European Court of Human Rights, and a panel on stakeholder responses to the review, chaired by His Honour Judge Colin Daly, featuring leaders from the Irish Human Rights & Equality Commission, the Legal Aid Board, the Courts Service, the Bar Council, and the Law Society of Ireland. Additionally, EU Commissioner Michael McGrath will discuss the EU's role in the rule of law and access to justice.
Attendees will have opportunities for networking during scheduled breaks and lunch. The event will also include breakout panel discussions and workshops on topics such as legal aid in administrative decisions, access to justice for marginalized groups, and environmental justice. These sessions aim to foster collaborative discussions and actionable insights among participants.
This conference is essential for legal professionals, policymakers, academics, and advocates committed to enhancing access to justice in Ireland. Participants will gain valuable insights into the current state of civil legal aid, engage with leading experts, and contribute to shaping the future of legal aid reform.
Speakers(42)
Angela Denning
Chief Executive Officer at Courts Service
Angela Denning is the CEO of the Courts Service and contributed to the 'Stakeholder Response to the Review' panel.
Aoife Kelly-Desmond
Chief Executive Officer at Community Law & Mediation
Aoife Kelly-Desmond is the CEO of Community Law & Mediation and participated in the breakout panel on 'Environmental Justice'.
Catherine Cosgrave
Managing Solicitor at Immigrant Council of Ireland
Catherine Cosgrave is the Managing Solicitor at the Immigrant Council of Ireland and participated in the breakout panel on 'Access to Justice for Migrants & International Protection Applicants'.
Christopher Bowes
Policy & Public Affairs Manager at FLAC
Christopher Bowes is the Policy & Public Affairs Manager at FLAC and chaired the breakout panel on 'Legal Aid, Administrative Decisions & Quasi-Judicial Tribunals'.
Ciarán Finley
Senior Policy/Public Affairs Advisor at National Disability Authority
Ciarán Finley is the Senior Policy/Public Affairs Advisor at the National Disability Authority and chaired the breakout panel on 'Legal Aid, Accessibility & Disability Justice'.
Colm O'Halloran
Campaigns & Communications Officer at FLAC
Colm O'Halloran is the Campaigns & Communications Officer at FLAC and chaired the breakout panel on 'FLAC Student Societies & the Campaign for Civil Legal Aid Reform'.
Damien Walshe
Chief Executive at Independent Living Movement Ireland
Damien Walshe is the Chief Executive of Independent Living Movement Ireland and contributed to the breakout panel on 'Legal Aid, Accessibility & Disability Justice'.
Deirdre Duffy
Chief Executive Officer at Friends of the Earth
Deirdre Duffy is the CEO of Friends of the Earth and participated in the breakout panel on 'Environmental Justice'.
Dr. Amina Adanan
Lecturer at Maynooth University
Dr. Amina Adanan is a Lecturer at Maynooth University and participated in the breakout panel on 'Access to Justice for People in Prison'.
Dr. Charles O’Mahony
Lecturer at University of Galway
Dr. Charles O’Mahony is a Lecturer at the University of Galway and participated in the breakout panel on 'Legal Aid, Accessibility & Disability Justice'.
Dr. Lara MacLachlan
Lecturer at University of Bristol
Dr. Lara MacLachlan is a Lecturer at the University of Bristol and contributed to the 'Academic Response to the Review' panel.
Eilis Barry
Chief Executive at FLAC
Eilis Barry is the Chief Executive of FLAC and presented on FLAC’s vision for a reformed system of legal aid.
Erin Brogan
Telephone Information and Referral Line Development Manager at FLAC
Erin Brogan is the Telephone Information and Referral Line Development Manager at FLAC and chaired the breakout panel on 'Access to Justice for Victims of Domestic Violence'.
Gwendolen Morgan
Registrar at Workplace Relations Commission
Gwendolen Morgan is the Registrar to the Workplace Relations Commission and participated in the breakout panel on 'Legal Aid, Administrative Decisions & Quasi-Judicial Tribunals'.
His Honour Judge Colin Daly
Judge at District Court of Ireland
His Honour Judge Colin Daly chaired the 'Stakeholder Response to the Review' panel at the conference.
Jim O’Callaghan TD
Minister for Justice, Home Affairs & Migration at Government of Ireland
Jim O’Callaghan TD is the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs & Migration in the Government of Ireland.
Kate Heffernan
Solicitor at Mercy Law Resource Centre
Kate Heffernan is a Solicitor at Mercy Law Resource Centre and contributed to the breakout panel on 'Legal Aid, Administrative Decisions & Quasi-Judicial Tribunals'.
Katie Mannion
Managing Solicitor at Irish Refugee Council
Katie Mannion is the Managing Solicitor at the Irish Refugee Council and chaired the breakout panel on 'Access to Justice for Migrants & International Protection Applicants'.
Keith Walsh SC
Senior Counsel at Keith Walsh Solicitors
Keith Walsh SC is a Senior Counsel at Keith Walsh Solicitors and contributed to the breakout panel on 'Access to Justice for Victims of Domestic Violence'.
Liam Herrick
Chief Commissioner at Irish Human Rights & Equality Commission
Liam Herrick is the Chief Commissioner of the Irish Human Rights & Equality Commission and participated in the 'Stakeholder Response to the Review' panel.
Maria Elena Costa Sa
Human Rights and Community Development Lead at Irish Network Against Racism
Maria Elena Costa Sa is the Human Rights and Community Development Lead at the Irish Network Against Racism and participated in the breakout panel on 'Access to Justice for Migrants & International Protection Applicants'.
Maria Joyce
Coordinator at National Traveller Women’s Forum
Maria Joyce is the Coordinator of the National Traveller Women’s Forum and participated in the breakout panel on 'Access to Justice for Travellers'.
Mary Heavey
Housing & Social Welfare Solicitor at Community Law & Mediation
Mary Heavey is a Housing & Social Welfare Solicitor at Community Law & Mediation and participated in the breakout panel on 'Legal Aid, Administrative Decisions & Quasi-Judicial Tribunals'.
Michael McGrath
EU Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection at European Commission
Michael McGrath is the EU Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection and spoke on 'The EU, the Rule of Law & Access to Justice'.
Nuala Egan SC
Chair at Legal Aid Board
Nuala Egan SC is the Chair of the Legal Aid Board and was a panelist in the 'Stakeholder Response to the Review' session.
Prof. Cathryn Costello
Professor at University College Dublin
Prof. Cathryn Costello is a Professor at University College Dublin and chaired the session on 'The EU, the Rule of Law & Access to Justice'.
Prof. Clíodhna Murphy
Professor at Maynooth University
Prof. Clíodhna Murphy is a Professor at Maynooth University and contributed to the breakout panel on 'Access to Justice for Migrants & International Protection Applicants'.
Prof. David Fennelly SC
Professor and Senior Counsel at Trinity College Dublin
Prof. David Fennelly SC is a Professor at Trinity College Dublin and a Senior Counsel, contributing to the 'Academic Response to the Review' panel.
Prof. Fiona Donson
Acting Chair at FLAC
Prof. Fiona Donson is the Acting Chair of FLAC and delivered the welcome remarks at the conference.
Prof. Gerry Whyte
Professor of Law at Trinity College Dublin
Prof. Gerry Whyte is a Professor of Law at Trinity College Dublin and served as the academic sponsor for the conference.
Prof. Orla Kelleher
Professor at Maynooth University
Prof. Orla Kelleher is a Professor at Maynooth University and contributed to the breakout panel on 'Environmental Justice'.
Prof. Síofra O’Leary
Former President at European Court of Human Rights
Prof. Síofra O’Leary is the former President of the European Court of Human Rights and delivered the keynote address at the conference.
Prof. Thomas O’Malley SC
Professor and Senior Counsel at NUI Galway
Prof. Thomas O’Malley SC is a Professor at NUI Galway and a Senior Counsel, participating in the 'Academic Response to the Review' panel.
Prof. Áine Ryall
Professor at University College Cork
Prof. Áine Ryall is a Professor at University College Cork and participated in the 'Academic Response to the Review' panel.
Robbie Sinnott
Coordinator at Voice of Vision Impairment
Robbie Sinnott is the Coordinator of Voice of Vision Impairment and participated in the breakout panel on 'Legal Aid, Accessibility & Disability Justice'.
Saoirse Brady
Executive Director at Irish Penal Reform Trust
Saoirse Brady is the Executive Director of the Irish Penal Reform Trust and chaired the breakout panel on 'Access to Justice for People in Prison'.
Sarah Benson
Chief Executive Officer at Women’s Aid
Sarah Benson is the CEO of Women’s Aid and participated in the breakout panel on 'Access to Justice for Victims of Domestic Violence'.
Seán Guerin SC
Chair at Bar Council
Seán Guerin SC is the Chair of the Bar Council and participated in the 'Stakeholder Response to the Review' panel.
Sinéad Lucey
Managing Solicitor at FLAC
Sinéad Lucey is the Managing Solicitor at FLAC and chaired the breakout panel on 'Access to Justice for Travellers'.
Siún Hurley
Chair at Family and Child Law Committee of the Law Society of Ireland
Siún Hurley is the Chair of the Family and Child Law Committee of the Law Society of Ireland and was a panelist in the 'Stakeholder Response to the Review' session.
The Hon. Mr Justice Donal O’Donnell
Chief Justice at Supreme Court of Ireland
The Hon. Mr Justice Donal O’Donnell serves as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Ireland.
The Hon. Ms Justice Siobhán Phelan
Judge at High Court of Ireland
The Hon. Ms Justice Siobhán Phelan is a Judge of the High Court of Ireland and chaired the 'Academic Response to the Review' panel.
Event Details
- Date
- January 12, 2026
- Location
- 🇮🇪 Dublin, Ireland
- Arts Building, Trinity College Dublin
- Pricing
- Free
- Audience
- Legal professionals, policymakers, academics, and advocates interested in civil legal aid reform.