The New Statutory Sick Pay Scheme (SSP) is the legal minimum sick pay to which employees are now entitled. As of the 1st January 2023, every employee is entitled to…
Author: Ahern Roberts O'Rourke Williams & Partners Solicitors
Ahern Roberts O’Rourke Williams & Partners are a successful firm of solicitors, providing a full range of legal services, from our offices in the Old Rectory, Carrigaline, County Cork, P43 W921.
Vacant Homes Tax (VHT)
The Vacant Homes Tax (VHT) is a new annual tax, which applies where a residential property was in use as a dwelling for less than 30 days in the 12-months…
Mercy Hospital Fort2Fort Charity Cycle
Ahern Roberts O’Rourke Williams and Partners are delighted to sponsor the upcoming Fort2Fort Charity Cycle again this year. The Fort2Fort Charity Cycle, taking place on July 29th, will raise funds…
Sponsorship of the Carrigaline RFC U14 Boys Easter Tour
Ahern Roberts O’Rourke Williams & Partners were delighted to sponsor the Carrigaline RFC U14 boys’ Easter Tour to London. A great opportunity for all involved. Photographed: The U14 boys team…
Biodiversity at Ahern Roberts O'Rourke Williams & Partners
Climate change and loss of habitat leads to a loss of wildlife. Biodiversity is important to all of us and all of us can help to protect that biodiversity. We…
Free Wills Month!
The courageous volunteer lifesavers provide a 24/7 service around theRepublic of Ireland; a gift in your Will to @RNLI helps provide the trainingand equipment they need to return to their…
FREE WILLS MONTH HAS LAUNCHED!
@iFreeWillsMonth has officially launched. RNLI is sponsoring the campaignin the hope to raise vital, future legacy income. Call our office today, quoting‘Free Wills Month’ for your appointment. If you would…
FREE WILLS MONTH MAY 2023
We are excited to be part of @iFreeWillsMonth, launching on Tuesday.Free Wills Month is your chance to get a free Will whilst choosing to support RNLI by leaving a gift…
ELECTRIC VEHICLE GRANT CHANGES
Under the Climate Action Plan 2023, Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland has a plan to have 30% of our private car fleet switched to electric by 2030. A maximum grant of…
SEO TO BE INTRODUCED IN CONSTRUCTION SECTOR
The Government has accepted the Labour Court’s recommendation for a new minimum pay and pension contribution rate for workers in the construction sector, which will commence on the 18th of…
RIGHT TO REQUEST REMOTE WORKING
The Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 was signed into law at the start of April 2023 – it has not yet taken effect. Once commenced, all employees…
FAMILY LAW CHANGES
Family law disputes should be heard more promptly, and more efficiently under legislation announced by Minister for Justice Helen McEntee. The long-anticipated Family Court Bill will establish a dedicated family…
COFFEE MORNING
CARRIGALINE RFC & CARRIGALINE ATHLETICS CLUB Ahern Roberts O’Rourke Williams & Partners Invite you to a Coffee morning at our offices between 10 a.m. and 12 midday on Friday next,…
Medical Negligence & Birth Injuries
Emma Neville of this firm recently acted in a birth injury case which involved a child who suffered Hypoxic Ischematic Encephalopathy (HIE) which resulted in permanent neurological damage and cerebral…
Reasonable Force - Defending your Home
The Criminal Law (Defence and Dwelling) Act 2011 allows for a person to use ‘reasonable force’ in defending their home in order to protect themselves and their property. The Act…
New Law on Right to Work Remotely
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar recently published details of a new Law – The Right to Request Remote Working Bill 2021 which will give employees the right to request remote working. The…
Fresh Start for Divorced & Separated People
Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien recently confirmed that Housing designed only for nuclear families do not meet “the reality of the world we live in”. This is good news for separating…
Seachtain Na Gaeilge
Bain Triail as ! By Ahern O’Rourke Williams & Partners Solicitors In News Is seachtain na Gaeilge í. Má tá fadhb dlíthiúl agat agus teastaíonn uait é a phlé trí…
Carraig ag Caint
Tå Colm såsta caint leat i Ahern, Roberts, Williams Solicitors Tå daoine sésta caint leat i Carrigaline Court Hotel Tå Emma sésta caint leat i Carrigaiine Furniture + Carpet Centre…
Enhanced rights to disconnect from work
A new Code of Practice to disconnect from work outside of normal working hours came into effect on the 1st of April 2021. What does this mean? * An employee…
Redundancy Payments & Notice Periods
To be eligible for redundancy payment an employee must meet the following criteria: Be aged over 16.Be in employment which is insurable under the Social Welfare Acts. Full time employees…
Directors Duties During Covid 19
The pandemic has brought about unprecedented pressure and challenges to all businesses. Directors Duties under the Companies Act 2104 (the “Act”) remain unchanged. If a company is at risk directors…
Employees Rights & obligations
Many questions arise for employees regarding their employment rights during the Covid-19. Emergency period and while continuing to work from home :- Holiday leave – If the employer has availed…
The National Return to Work Safely Protocol
On the 9th May the Government published a return to work safely national protocol. The Return to Work Safely Protocol is the result of a collaborative effort by the Health…
Employers Obligations amidst Covid 19
With news of the government’s plan to ease the restrictions on a phased basis from 5th May many businesses are gearing up to re-open. The shape, size and structure of…
Covid 19
COVID 19 We wish to thank and encourage all of those who are in the frontline in the battle to protect the health of the community against Covid 19. We…
COVID 19 MESSAGE
The Covid 19 virus has had a devastating effect on society, the way in which we conduct our affairs, carry on business and interact with each other. We, at Ahern…
Essential Tips & Updates for Employers Event Royal Cork Yacht Club Thursday 26th March 2020
Essential Tips & Updates for Employers Event Royal Cork Yacht Club Thursday 26th March 2020 This has now been postponed. The response to the event was far greater than expected…
Covid 19 & your travel plans - What are your rights?
As of today anyone returning from Italy and Spain are now being told to restrict their movements for two weeks after arriving in to Ireland. The Department of Foreign Affairs…
Covid 19 - Guidance for Employers and Employees
There has been much uncertainty as a result of the spread of the Corona virus and this has impacted in the sphere of employment law. Both employers and employees are…
GIFT VOUCHERS: KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!
Gift vouchers are a very popular Christmas or birthday gift to give and to receive but it’s important to know your rights in this area. The Consumer Protection (Gift Vouchers)…
Employment Law Update
The Employment Law (Miscellaenous) Provisions Act 2018 came onto effect on 4th March 2019. By amending the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, this new legislation bans Zero Hours contracts.…
New Partners
AHERN ROBERTS O’ROURKE WILLIAMS & PARTNERS announce appointment of 2 new partners AHERN ROBERTS O’ROURKE WILLIAMS & PARTNERS has announced the appointment of MAURA LAWTON and CATHERINE O’CALLAGHAN as partners…
Crosshaven Tennis Club
Ahern Roberts have a strong tradition of supporting our local Clubs. Pictured at Crosshaven Tennis Club’s (CTC) Open Championship recently was Emma Neville, Solicitor and Aoife FitzGerald, Legal Secretary and…
Advance Healthcare Directives/Living Wills
The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 was passed in 2015. The minister for health is expected to sign the enacting statutory instrument within the next 12 months. One of the…
Personal Injuries Actions - New One Month Notice Rule
Since the 29th January 2019 it is now the law that a letter be sent within one month of an accident happening if a claim for personal injuries is to be made.…
Cancelled flights - what are your rights?
Regulation EC 261/2004 governs what individuals are entitled to when their flight to and from airports in the EU is cancelled by an airline, Assistance: If your flight is cancelled,…
UCC Law Society Moot Court Competition 2018/2019
The UCC First Year Moot Competition 2018/2019 concluded on March 26th when the two finalist teams competed against each other in the beautiful surrounds of the University Council Chamber in…
Divorce
Under the Family Law Divorce Act, 1996 couples seeking a Divorce have to satisfy the Court that they have lived apart for four out of the proceedings five years. It…
Judicial Review - what does it mean?
The High Court has the power to supervise the lower courts, tribunals and other administrative bodies to ensure their decisions are made properly and in accordance with the law. This…
Buying Property at Auction
Buying a property at auction may appear to be an attractive prospect as prices for auctioned properties may appear to be low and the deal can be completed quickly. However,…
Calcutta Run 2018
The team from Ahern Roberts O’Rourke Williams – Colm O’Rourke, Catherine Barry and Patricia McCarthy pictured at the Southern Law Association Inaugural 5k Calcutta Run yesterday. Over 200 participants took…
Seachtain na Gaeilge Bain triail as!
Is seachtain na Gaeilge í. Má tá fadhb dlíthiúil agat agus teastaíonn uait é a phlé trí mheán na Gaeilge bhéinn sásta iarracht a dhéanamh é a phlé leat. Ní…
Cycle Paths
A Cyclist lost his case for damages in Dublin Circuit Civil Court recently conceding that it was wrong of him to cycle on the footpath when there was a cycle…
The Importance of having a Will
In 1948 in a dying farmer in Saskatoon, Canada wrote his will on the fender of the tractor he was trapped beneath, and the courts accepted it as legally binding. …
Janeville Carrigaline
A new housing development in Carrigaline was commenced in 2017. Janeville, Cork Road, Carrigaline is the largest residential scheme in the State under construction, outside of Dublin. The first sod…
Compensation for dog attacks
A number of High Court actions taken in the last twelve months have seen Plaintiff’s being awarded sums in excess of €100,000.00 for personal injuries sustained from being bitten or…
Scoopers Fishy Tale
Ahern Roberts O’Rourke Williams are proud to have sponsored a wonderful Children’s book ‘Scoopers Fishy Tale’. Based on the fish tank in the children’s ward of the Mercy University Hospital, Cork,…
Cyclists and the Irish Law
Cyclists and the Law Government policy to encourage people to use their bikes as a means of transport must be seen as a positive thing for society. While many people…
Vacant Site Levy - The Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015
Vacant Site Levy- The Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015 Under the Urban Regeneration and Housing Act 2015 (“the Act”), each local authority is required to compile a vacant sites register of…
Rent Control
Rent Control The Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016 signed into law effective from the 24th of December 2016 regulates the frequency and the amount of rent…
Help to Buy (HTB) Incentive
Help to Buy incentive (HTB) The Help to Buy (HTB) incentive was introduced in Budget 2017 to assist first-time buyers with obtaining the deposit required to purchase or self-build a…
Transferring a Farm - Gift Tax
TRANSFERRING A FARM – GIFT TAX Capital Acquisitions Tax (Gift Tax) – where no Relief is available Transfers of property, including family farms are subject to gift tax and the…
New Book of Quantum for Injury Claims
On the 5th October 2016, a new edition of the Book of Quantum was published by the Injuries Board. This will assist personal injury claims by providing a greater level…
Group Thresholds for Capital Acquisions Tax
Budget 2016 increased the group thresholds for Capital Acquisitions Tax for all gifts and inheritances from the 11th October, 2016 as follows: All gifts and inheritances taken by each beneficiary…
Personal Injuries
A Personal Injury Claim enables you to recover compensation for loss, injury or the avoidable deterioration of an existing condition when the cause rests with the negligence of a third…
Making a will to benefit a child with special needs and/or a vulnerable adult
Making a will to benefit a child with special needs and/or a vulnerable adult -points to consider A well written Will is the only way to make sure that the…
Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act 2015
President Michael D. Higgins has signed the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act, however the commencement order has not been signed by the Minister for Justice and will not be done…
Workplace Relations Act
The Workplace Relations Act was passed into law in 2015 and has transformed the manner in which disputes between employers and employees will be dealt with. In the past, there…
Taxation of Second Homes
Rental Income, NPPR & CGT Rental Income Prior to 2012 the Revenue Commissioners relied on voluntary disclosure in relation to taxation of rental income from investment properties, as there was…
Nursing Home Support Scheme
The Nursing Home Support Scheme also known as the “Fair Deal” Nursing Home Scheme is operated by the HSE and provides financial assistance to people in need of long term…
Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013
The Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 was recently enacted by the Minister for Agriculture. It has great importance for all who own any type of animal whether agricultural or…
Relief from Rates
Commercial property rates. A major concern for the Landlords of commercial property and potential purchasers of commercial property has been the question of unpaid rates. What happens, who should pay,…
Changing your Name by Deed Poll
To change the name on your passport or other official documents it would be necessary to execute a document known as a Deed Poll. There is a misconception about the…
NPPR Charge - Period of Grace
The Non Principal Private Residence (NPPR) charge which was introduced in 2009 was a €200.00 annual charge for each of the years 2009 to 2013, levied on residential properties which…
Fatal Injury - What price human life?
Fatal Injury: If you are unfortunate enough to have lost a loved one through the negligence of a third party, even where there is no direct financial dependency, you may…
New Law – Increasing Parental Leave at Work
Under new Employment Regulations which came into operation in Ireland on the 8th of March 2013, the existing Parental Leave entitlement in Ireland has been increased from 14 weeks to…
Local Property Tax
If you own a residential property in Ireland you will be liable for payment of the Local Property Tax (LPT) which came into effect in 2013. Local Property Tax (LPT) was…
What does Bankruptcy Mean?
If a person is unable to repay their debts, they can be declared a Bankrupt. A person can take steps to declare themselves Bankrupt or a creditor who is owed…
Rights of Way - A Legal Minefield
Do you rely on a right of way to get into your home, farm or business? Do your pipes, sewers or cables cross someone else’s property? If that is the…
Septic Tank Registration Charges
Septic Tank Registration Charges now payable Pursuant to the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012 The Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012 provides for the establishment of a registration system for…
NAMA 80/20 Deffered Payment Initiative
The 80:20 deal, NAMA’s latest offering to tackle the motgage crisis. The National Asset Management Agency has announced the pilot phase of the 80/20 Deferred Payment Initiative. The 80/20 Deferred…
Good Samaritan
A Good Samaritan will not be personally liable in negligence for any act done in an emergency. Legislation has recently been introduced to protect “Good Samaritans”. A “Good Samaritan” means a…
Cyber Bullying - The Law
Apparently there is an average of 10 billion messages sent on Facebook and 500 million tweets sent every single day. Given the sheer volume of people involved in this freedom…
New Household Charge
The new Household Charge is payable on 1st January 2012 and will be a charge on the property if not paid. Anyone selling a property affected will have to…
Multi Unit Development Act 2011
The MUD Act – A long overdue piece of legislation introducing new obligations on Developers and providing greater assistance to homeowners. The Multi – Unit Development Act (the Act) was signed into…
30 km/h Speed Limit Cork City Centre
A 30 km/h speed limit zone is being introduced for Cork City Centre. As and from the 16th of November, 2011 a 30 km/h speed limit zone has been introduced in…
Contractual Lovin’ – Pre Nuptial Agreements
Pre nuptial Agreements may become more common in the future. In Ireland, there is no particular legislation dealing with Pre-nuptial Agreements. Their position in Irish Law remains unclear. In…
Rights of Way and Easements, Changes in the Law
Changes in the law regulating registration of Rights of Way. The Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009 introduced onerous provisions concerning registration of certain types of easements including rights of way. Following…
Squatters Title
Adverse Possession. Do you have vacant property? Do you regularly check it’s boundaries? When Lawyers talk about applications to the Land Registry for first registration based on adverse possession, it…
Landlord's Nightmare
A dispute which started over an electricity bill in the PRTB in 2005, finishes in the Supreme Court in 2011. Residential Tenancies legislation introduced in 2004 with the aim of providing an…
The New Companies Bill – Better for Business?
Companies Bill marks the beginning of landmark change to Irish company law. The Company Law Review Group (CLRG) has now published the first volume (or Pillar A) of the draft…
Tax Changes Consequent to the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010
Cohabiting couples expecting changes to the tax regime must be disappointed. The Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010 (“The Act”) was signed into law…
The Cost Of Insurance and The Injuries Board
The Injuries Board is a body set up by the Government in 2004 as a response to Ireland’s “claims culture” and was intended to reduce the cost of insurance. It’s…
“Breaking up is hard to do!”
“Breaking up is hard to do!” So said “The Carpenters”, not knowing the constraints imposed by the Irish legal system on couples who get into difficulty. Separation for any couple…
Making a Will – Why bother?
Making a Will – Why Bother? It is surprising the high proportion of people who die every year without having made a will, or intestate, to use the legal term.…
Capital Acquisitions Tax
Capital Acquisitions Tax comprises Gift Tax, Inheritance Tax and Discretionary Trust Tax. Gift tax is charged on taxable gifts taken (other than on a death) on or after 28…