Public Law Conference 2025

On Thursday 2 October 2025, the Office of the Attorney General hosted the second annual “AGO and CSSO Public Law Conference” in the Round Room of the Mansion House, Dublin. The event was co-hosted by Chief State Solicitor Maria Browne and Attorney General Rossa Fanning SC.

The Conference welcomed over 500 stakeholders and experts from across government and the judiciary and included a significant delegation from the Chief State Solicitor’s Office.

Opening the conference, Maria Browne acknowledged the impressive line-up of speakers from both domestic and international legal spheres. She paid tribute to the late Professor Conor Gearty, describing him as “a most essential voice in the field of human rights” and recalling how he “absolutely stole the show” at the previous year’s event.

Ms Browne went on to emphasise the importance of bringing legal issues to a broader audience, stating that “we can often take for granted that people understand what we do,” and that sharing these discussions helps “add to the general store of legal debate and knowledge.”

Turning to the work of the Chief State Solicitor’s Office, Browne highlighted its scale – over 240 solicitors and 30 legal executives among a staff of more than 400 – and its central role in supporting Government through litigation, commercial and property law services. She spoke candidly about the challenges facing the rule of law today, observing that “threats to the rule of law can take many different forms,” and stressing the need for lawyers to uphold the highest standards of conduct.

“We must live by values such as honesty, integrity, impartiality and independence,” she said, referencing both the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour and the Solicitor’s Guide to Professional Conduct. She concluded by urging reflection: “Are we doing all we can to maintain the integrity and efficacy of our institutions, our systems, our processes?”

The first session featured a discussion between Attorney General Rossa Fanning SC and the Rt Hon Lord Hermer KC, Attorney General for England and Wales, on the theme “Government Lawyers and the Rule of Law”. Moderated by Margaret Kelleher, Parliamentary Counsel, the conversation explored the significance of the rule of law, the responsibilities of legal advisers to Government, and how adherence to legal principles contributes not only to justice but also to national prosperity.

The second session featured keynote addresses from Dr Síofra O’Leary, former President of the European Court of Human Rights, and the Hon Mr Donal O’Donnell, Chief Justice of Ireland. Chaired by Christine Comiskey, Assistant Chief State Solicitor, the panel examined key issues such as the relationship between national and supranational legal systems, the margin of appreciation afforded to national courts, and their competence in addressing matters with supranational implications.

Damien Moloney, Director General of the Office of the Attorney General, closed the Conference by thanking all contributors and highlighting the essential role played by both the CSSO and AGO in the field of public law.

The event concluded with a networking lunch.

This was only the second time the Attorney General’s Office and the Chief State Solicitor’s Office have hosted a conference of this scale and ambition. It is, however, already establishing itself as a prominent annual event on Ireland’s legal calendar, providing a leading platform for public law dialogue and exchange.