LRC launches survey on non-court bodies
The Law Reform Commission (LRC) has launched a survey to gather first-hand accounts from people who have had decisions made by non-court adjudicative bodies, such as the Workplace Relations Commission or Residential Tenancies Board.
The LRC survey, which is available in English and as Gaeilge, also wants to hear from adjudicators making decisions within these bodies.
It follows a consultation paper on the reform of non-court adjudicative bodies published by the commission last year.
Procedures and appeals
The paper examined whether the procedures used by these bodies, and the routes for appealing their decisions, could be made clearer and more consistent.
It also considered where existing arrangements worked well and where change might be needed, while respecting the different functions and expertise of individual bodies.
The law-reform body says that many important decisions are made by bodies outside of the courts, adding that it is important that the procedures used are fair, clear, and suited to robust decision-making.
It now wants to gather evidence about how non-court decision-making works in practice and how to support fair, effective, and independent decision-making.
Experiences ‘vital’
LRC President Mr Justice Frank Clarke said: "We want to hear directly from people who have used these decision-making processes and from the adjudicators who operate them.
“Their experiences will be vital in helping us identify what is effective and where improvements may be needed.”
Survey findings will be considered alongside written submissions, consultation events, and the commission’s legal research in preparing its final report and recommendations.
The survey links – in English and Irish – are available on the LRC website.