Legal News ()

Caroline Crowley, Partner, recently acted for a hospital in seeking a Court Order to compel a pregnant woman to undergo a caesarean section.

Late payment of debt is significantly impacting many businesses which are already facing serious financial pressures. To address this, the government has introduced Regulations* which take effect from 16 March next, which are designed to assist businesses combat the problem of late payments by purchasers.

The High Court recently made an Order permitting the taking of blood samples from a 15 year old girl suffering from a psychiatric disorder.

On 24 January 2012, the draft general Scheme of the long awaited and greatly discussed Personal Insolvency Bill was published for consultation by the Government. Following a process for submissions, the Personal Insolvency Bill 2012 was published on 26 June 2012 and presented for the First Stage before Dáil Éireann.

The DCRS is an independent service which was launched in May 2012 with the purpose of offering patients and dentists an opportunity to resolve their differences about dental treatment assisted by a mediator.

A Government commitment to prepare legislation providing for Periodic Payment Orders has been announced in recent days. The commitment has been welcomed as a significant development by the President of the High Court.