Public Interest Litigation & Access to Justice Schedule

Public Interest Litigation & Access to Justice

Domestic and international challenges and opportunities

Friday 14 November & Saturday 15 November 2025, Michael D. Higgins Auditorium (Aula Maxima Lower), Quadrangle, University of Galway

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Schedule

DAY 1 – FRIDAY

9.15am – 11am: Opening Session

Opening remarks and Chair: Professor Donncha O’Connell, School of Law, University of Galway

Keynote Paper: ‘Public Interest Litigation & Access to Justice’

Speaker: Professor Emeritus Gerry Whyte, School of Law, TCD

Discussants:

Professor Máiréad Enright, Loughborough University Law School

Professor Colm Ó Cinnéide, Faculty of Laws, UCL

Dr Lara MacLachlan, University of Bristol Law School

11.30am-1pm The Role of Statutory Bodies and NGOs

Chair: Les Allamby, Former Chief Commissioner, Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC)

Liam Herrick, Chief Commissioner, Irish Human Rights & Equality Commission (IHREC)

Eilis Barry, Chief Executive, Free Legal Advice Centres (FLAC)

Gerry Liston, Global Legal Action Network (GLAN)

Lunch 1-2pm

2pm-3pm Using international mechanisms strategically 2pm-3pm

Chair: Professor Ciara Smyth, School of Law & ICHR, University of Galway

Professor Basak Cali, Bonavero Institute of Human Rights, University of Oxford

Professor Helen Duffy, Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies, Leiden University Law School

3.15pm-5.30pm Thematic issues

Chair: Professor Roja Fazaeli, Irish Centre for Human Rights, University of Galway

Professor Tarlach McGonagle, Leiden University and University of Amsterdam – SLAPPs

Dr Maeve O’Rourke, Irish Centre for Human Rights, University of Galway – the value of JR in the context of inquisitorial processes

Dr James Gallen, DCU – downside of litigation for victims and survivors

Dr Tara Mulqueen, Warwick University – access to justice and addressing local legal needs

Dr Janos Fiala-Butora, Centre for Disability Law & Policy, University of Galway – strategic disability litigation

DAY 2 - SATURDAY

9.30am-11.15am Public Interest Litigation & Access to Justice – Practitioners’ Perspectives

Chair: The Honorable Mr Justice Cian Ferriter, Judge of the High Court

Speakers:

Fred Logue, Solicitor

David Fennelly, SC

Sinéad Lucey, Senior Solicitor, FLAC

Gareth Noble, Solicitor, KOD Lyons

11.45am-1pm Closing Panel

Reflections on conference papers led by Nuala Egan SC and panel:

Louise O’Keeffe, public interest litigant

Tomás Heneghan, public interest litigant

And some speakers from earlier panels

Brief Closing Remarks – Professor Donncha O’Connell, School of Law, University of Galway.

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