Written answers
Tuesday, 30 April 2024
Department of Justice and Equality
Legal Services Regulation
Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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518. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she has given consideration to increasing the fines and sanctions that the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal can impose on a solicitor for misconduct; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19224/24]
Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Section 74 of the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015 provides for the establishment of the Legal Practitioners' Disciplinary Tribunal (LPDT). In November 2020, the President of the High Court appointed the LPDT to deal with complaints of serious misconduct by both solicitors and barristers. Applications made to the LPDT must come through the Law Society of Ireland or the Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA). The LPDT is independent of both the Minister and the LSRA in the performance of its tasks and the exercise of its powers.
Section 82 of the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015 sets out the sanctions available to the Disciplinary Tribunal following a finding of misconduct on the part of a legal practitioner. Whilst I have no current plans to amend that set out, my Department keeps all such legislation under review.
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