As the multitude of tributes have shown Bernard was not only a highly respected Judge and member of the Law Library, but was an absolute gentleman, known for his kindness, warmth, and great sense of fun. This we experienced in abundance when he joined us as a guest on the The Fifth Court podcast.

In what was one of our most popular episodes, Bernard’s charm and infectious enthusiasm for law and life shone through.

Accordingly , we are re-releasing this episode in tribute to this wonderful man.

Mark Tottenham Peter Leonard

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Peter Leonard BL and Mark Tottenham BL are joined by John Freeman BL, author of The Central Bank Acts: A Commentary.

John explains the modern role of the Central Bank of Ireland and how financial regulation has changed since the banking crisis. The discussion examines the increased focus on individual accountability within financial institutions, including how responsibility is assigned to particular executives and decision-makers.

They also consider:

• The Central Bank’s investigative and enforcement powers
• Personal responsibility for regulatory failures
• Fines, suspensions and exclusion from the financial services industry
• The effect of the Zalewski judgment on regulatory hearings
• Fair procedures when the regulator investigates and adjudicates
• Appeals to the Irish Financial Services Appeals Tribunal and the High Court
• The independence of the Central Bank
• The relationship between the Central Bank of Ireland and the European Central Bank
• Why the Central Bank Acts have become so difficult to navigate

John also discusses the work involved in writing a major legal commentary, the growing use of Irish within the legal profession and his interest in French revolutionary legal history.

Before the interview, Peter and Mark review three recent decisions from Decisis.ie:

• An unlawful repossession of a family home resulting in an award of €20,000 in damages
• Planning permission quashed because inadequate provision had been made for children’s play facilities
• A constitutional challenge concerning temporary release and a mandatory minimum sentence for serious drug offences

The Decisis.ie case-law section is sponsored by Charltons Solicitors and Collaborative Practitioners of George’s Street, Dún Laoghaire, specialists in family law, civil litigation, property, wills and probate.

Presented by Peter Leonard BL and Mark Tottenham BL.

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For more than a century, Ireland's judges shaped the country's politics, business, land ownership and legal system.

But who were they?

On Episode 153 of The Fifth Court, Peter Leonard BL and Mark Tottenham BL are joined by legal historian Daire Hogan, former McCann FitzGerald partner, former President of the Irish Legal History Society and author of the remarkable new book The Judges of Ireland 1866–1921.

It's a fascinating conversation about Victorian Ireland, judicial power, Westminster politics, the Four Courts, Home Rule, the birth of the modern legal system and some extraordinary judicial personalities whose influence is still felt today.

Along the way they discuss:

• why 1877 completely changed Irish courts

• the astonishing political influence behind judicial appointments

• why some judges nearly sailed on the Titanic

• how Irish judges were viewed in London

• the origins of today's High Court and Court of Appeal

• what legal history tells us about modern Ireland

Before Daire Hogan joins Peter and Mark, Mark reviews three important recent decisions from Decisis, kindly brought to listeners with the support of Charlton Solicitors & Collaborative Practitioners, specialists in family law, civil litigation, property, wills and probate.

The featured cases include:

• Adoption without parental consent
• Security for costs
• Legal professional privilege and shareholder rights

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