THE BILLABLE HOUR IS UNDER ATTACK. AND AI COULD CHANGE THE LEGAL PROFESSION FOREVER.

What happens when one of Ireland's most innovative solicitors decides to throw out the traditional rulebook?

Larry Fenelon SC, founder of Fenecas Law and previously of Leman Solicitors, joins Peter Leonard BL and Mark Tottenham BL on Episode 155 of The Fifth Court.

He's built a litigation-only firm that doesn't record billable hours, embraces artificial intelligence and believes the Irish legal profession needs to move much faster.

And his numbers are extraordinary.

Five hours of document preparation reduced to five minutes.

Ten employees doing work he believes might otherwise require 20–22 people.

Fixed-fee arrangements instead of the traditional six-minute billing clock.

Larry also reveals:

• Why increasing his previous law firm from 25 to 55 people didn't necessarily increase profits.
• How Leman Solicitors became part of international law firm Ogier.
• Why AI is forcing lawyers to rethink how they charge clients.
• Why paper-based court processes are increasingly unsustainable.
• Why Ireland could become a major international arbitration centre, competing with London, Paris, Vienna and Stockholm.
• Why he believes Ireland's legal professionals can compete with the best in the world.

There's also a remarkable personal story, from working in his family's meat business and studying at the University of Limerick to building, merging and then starting a law firm all over again.

Plus: the Decisis Law Reports case review

Peter and Mark examine three important decisions:

1. T.O. v HSE — a child's access to weight-loss medication and a challenge to the HSE's refusal to fund treatment.
2. L.M. v N.O.M. — children wrongfully retained in Ireland following a holiday visit, and their return to South Africa under the Hague Convention.
3. The People v C.U. — admissions made by a 17-year-old during Garda questioning and whether those admissions were admissible in evidence.

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

Presented by Peter Leonard BL and Mark Tottenham BL.

The Fifth Court. No Ordinary Courtroom.

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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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.