Brendan Kirwan v John O'Leary, Bridget O'Leary, Seamus Turner, Peter Redmond, Cormac Mullen, Catherine O' Connor, Sean Nolan, Geraldine O'Loughlin, Wendy Smith and Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (Approved) [2023] IESC 27 (29 November 2023)

Brendan Kirwan v John O'Leary, Bridget O'Leary, Seamus Turner, Peter Redmond, Cormac Mullen, Catherine O' Connor, Sean Nolan, Geraldine O'Loughlin, Wendy Smith and Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (Approved) [2023] IESC 27 (29 November 2023)

The statutory language of s. 7(12B) Solicitors (Amendment) Act 1960 is clear and unambiguous, mandating that appeals must be made within 21 days and precluding any extension of time by the court; the right of appeal is purely statutory and not constitutionally guaranteed, so the court lacks jurisdiction to extend the time limit.

Citation
[2023] IESC 27
Parties
Applicant/appellant: Brendan Kirwan; Respondent: John O'Leary; Respondent: Bridget O'Leary; Respondent: Seamus Turner; Respondent: Peter Redmond; Respondent: Cormac Mullen; Respondent: Catherine O'Connor; Respondent: Sean Nolan; Respondent: Geraldine O'Loughlin; Respondent: Wendy Smith; Notice Party: Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal
Jurisdiction
Ireland
Judgment Date
29 November 2023
Procedural Posture
Appeal / Supreme Court Judgment
Outcome
Appeal dismissed
Legal Topics
Statutory Time Limits, Appeals, Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal, Extension of Time, Statutory Interpretation
Administrative Law Professional Regulation Statutory Time Limits Appeals Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal Extension of Time Statutory Interpretation

Case Brief

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Parties

Brendan Kirwan

Applicant/appellant

John O'Leary

Respondent

Bridget O'Leary

Respondent

Seamus Turner

Respondent

Peter Redmond

Respondent

Cormac Mullen

Respondent

Catherine O'Connor

Respondent

Sean Nolan

Respondent

Geraldine O'Loughlin

Respondent

Wendy Smith

Respondent

Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal

Notice Party

Procedural Posture

Appeal / Supreme Court Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the 21-day statutory time limit for appeal under s. 7(12B) Solicitors (Amendment) Act 1960 can be extended by the court
  2. 2 Whether the statutory language is ambiguous or permits extension
  3. 3 Distinction between statutory and constitutional rights of appeal

Ratio Decidendi

The statutory language of s. 7(12B) Solicitors (Amendment) Act 1960 is clear and unambiguous, mandating that appeals must be made within 21 days and precluding any extension of time by the court; the right of appeal is purely statutory and not constitutionally guaranteed, so the court lacks jurisdiction to extend the time limit.

Court Disposition

Appeal dismissed

Orders

  • Appeal dismissed
  • High Court order affirmed