Healthcare Law

Hayes is a recognised leader in Healthcare Law. We offer clients the proven expertise of Ireland’s foremost dedicated healthcare litigation and regulation team.

Expertise

Our leading Healthcare Law team is expert in the defence of medical negligence claims, product liability and repercussive claims and in representing doctors, dentists and allied healthcare professionals before their regulatory bodies. We bring specialist skills in dealing with medical and dental negligence claims, product liability claims, inquests, Medical and Dental Council complaints, and Tribunal hearings.

Our team, recognised at Band 1 and Tier 1 by Chambers and Legal 500, is one of Ireland’s largest dedicated healthcare legal teams with an unequalled reputation for the provision of first class services to health service providers for over six decades. Our leading team is specialist in representing and advising public and private health service providers, including hospitals, doctors, dentists, nurses, midwives, allied health professionals, nursing homes, healthcare charities and their indemnifiers.

We recognise that negligence claims and regulatory body complaints are highly stressful for medical practitioners and staff. We support those involved, providing a highly professional, hands-on, fast, efficient and high quality service.

We work at the leading edge of healthcare law. Our professionals have acted in many landmark cases and our team members lecture extensively on key aspects of medical law. In recent years Hayes has used its stellar reputation to take a leading role in advocating for reform to Ireland’s system for clinical negligence litigation with the goal of producing a fairer and more efficient process for all concerned.

Services

  • Medical negligence claims
  • Catastrophic injury claims
  • Medical Council matters
  • Dental Council matters
  • Alternative dispute resolution, including mediation
  • Disciplinary hearings
  • Inquests
  • Statutory inquiries
  • Ethical issues
  • Clinical trials
  • Consent and confidentiality
  • Professional indemnity
  • Health and safety issues
  • Risk management issues
  • Data Protection and Freedom of Information advices
Hayes solicitors boasts a leading healthcare litigation department that acts on major medical malpractice cases. The team frequently handles high-value catastrophic injury claims on behalf of healthcare consultants, dental professionals and hospitals. The law firm's healthcare sector expertise extends into the professional discipline area, where clients benefit from notable experience in the defence of doctors and pharmacists in professional misconduct inquiries. The law firm also handles commercial claims that deal with defamation or financial disputes.
Chambers and Partners 2026
‘They are the creme de la creme of healthcare lawyers in Ireland. They are highly knowledgeable about their area of expertise. They are all sensible and practical lawyers, but they equally fight tenaciously to obtain the best outcome for their clients.’
Legal 500 2026
‘Hayes Solicitors LLP are consistently professional, responsive, and commercially astute. Their ability to provide clear, strategic advice in complex healthcare matters sets them apart from competitors. I’ve particularly valued their collaborative approach and deep understanding of the sector.'
Legal 500 2026
‘Mary Hough is an incredible lawyer and an absolute joy to work with. Her experience and calm and ability to interact with everyone is unparalleled.’
Legal 500 2026
‘Hayes solicitors are a stellar firm with a wide breadth of experience and a deep understanding of state-related litigation. Its clinical negligence practice is second to none. It has also been the go-to firm for the State Claims Agency for many years to deal with complex, high-value, multi-party litigation.’
Legal 500 2026
Hayes Solicitors have unparalleled experience in the healthcare area.’
Legal 500 2026
‘Martha Wilson - bright, diligent and approachable. She is a superb solicitor and does it all with ease and a smile no matter the situation!’
Legal 500 2026
‘They are hugely experienced. Extremely thorough lawyers. Very practically orientated. Always well briefed. Give clear and practical advice.'
Legal 500 2026
‘Mary Hough is an absolutely excellent lawyer: she combines attention to detail and exactly the right mix of combativeness and practicality.’
Legal 500 2026
‘Excellent availability of partner expertise. High level of both practical know-how and legal knowledge. Excellent working relationships between partners.’
Legal 500 2026
‘Accessible, efficient and very professional service provided.’
Legal 500 2026
‘Ease of communication.’
Legal 500 2026
'Louise O'Rourke is very able and experienced. Always thinking around corners, seeking to get the best for her client in what are often very tricky situations.’
Legal 500 2026
Back to top