Latest News, Issues & Events
Ireland in breach of human rights law on transgender recognition
[Press Release] - May 23, 2013
Ireland today is in clear and flagrant breach of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) because of its failure to legally recognise Dr Lydia Foy as a woman. And the Government is showing grave disrespect for the Courts by failing for more than 5 years to respond to a [ ... ]
Pressing need for clear information & advice for consumers on personal debt options
[Press Release] - May 16, 2013
Legal rights group FLAC (Free Legal Advice Centres) today hosts an information event on 'Moving out of Personal Debt: How to use the new legal infrastructure on personal debt and insolvency'.Aimed at our volunteer advisors as well as other interested parties, FLAC has organised the session in view of the [ ... ]
Balance lender powers with consumer protections in reforming repossessions law
[Press Release] - April 30, 2013
As a relatively small but very important piece of law is being proposed to effectively make it easier for lenders to process repossessions through the courts, legal rights group FLAC is calling for a number of key issues to be addressed by legislators considering the Bill in the Dail today [ ... ]
Welcome for new community law & mediation resource in Limerick
[Press Release] - April 26, 2013
Legal rights group FLAC (Free Legal Advice Centres) today warmly greeted the launch of Limerick Community Law and Mediation Centre. This is the first service of its kind outside Dublin."FLAC is particularly pleased to see this new resource for the people of Limerick. It is a very welcome addition in [ ... ]
Statement on Launch of Insolvency Service of Ireland
[Press Release] - April 18, 2013
FLAC (Free Legal Advice Centres) welcomes the issue of guidelines on minimum income and the regulations on Personal Insolvency Practitioners as necessary forerunners to the commencement of the Personal Insolvency Act 2012. This legislation is badly needed for those who are insolvent and need a proper process to resolve their [ ... ]
Volunteer advisors are needed in Dundalk Free Legal Advice Centre
[Volunteers] - April 16, 2013
Fully qualified solicitors and barristers are needed to volunteer at the FLAC service in Dundalk, Co. Louth. Volunteer advisors are asked to provide first stop legal information and advice in the centre on a rota basis. The clinics take place on Tuesday evenings. Leaflets and other useful resources are provided [ ... ]
Letterkenny FLAC is recruiting volunteer advisors
[Volunteers] - April 16, 2013
Letterkenny Free Legal Advice Centre seeks fully qualified solicitors/barristers to join their team of lawyers in providing free initial legal advice to members of the public on a roster basis. The FLAC service runs in the Letterkenny Citizens Information Centre , Public Services Centre, Blaney Road, Letterkenny, on the 2nd [ ... ]
Legal rights body disappointed at Commission failure to include Deaf Jurors
[Press Release] - April 15, 2013
Include deaf on inquest and civil juries, says FLACFLAC (Free Legal Advice Centres) today welcomed the Law Reform Commission's call to widen the pool of potential jurors and make it more representatives, but it regretted that the Commission had not recommended positive measures to include deaf and blind persons on [ ... ]
Amend Code to give borrowers stronger hand in dealings with banks
[Press Release] - April 10, 2013
How banks treat borrowers in mortgage arrears on their family home is the focus today of the Central Bank in its review of a code of conduct for lenders. Legal rights group FLAC (Free Legal Advice Centres) is making some 14 recommendations that it says will strengthen the hand of [ ... ]
Transgender law needed to avoid two-tier system
[Press Release] - March 27, 2013
The government must legislate for the recognition of all transgender people in Ireland, said legal rights group FLAC (Free Legal Advice Centres) today. The organisation made its call in the wake of news that the state will recognise transgender persons from other countries and allow them to marry or enter [ ... ]
Mortgage arrears strategy needs active oversight to deliver on promise of sustainable results
[Press Release] - March 13, 2013
Mortgage arrears strategy needs active oversight to deliver on promise of sustainable results Legal rights group FLAC (Free Legal Advice Centres) says the litmus test of the latest government plan to make mortgage lenders face up to the arrears crisis will be whether it results in real sustainable solutions for people [ ... ]
More people in debt - but no corresponding rise in protection for them
[Press Release] - March 07, 2013
Two reports issued by the Central Bank this week highlight further concerns for those who are seriously over-indebted, according to legal rights group, FLAC. The organisation says that the lack of protection for consumers is shown by today’s news of increased arrears in household mortgage debt and by the Central [ ... ]
UN report criticises barriers for human rights defenders in Ireland
[Press Release] - March 04, 2013
Legal rights group FLAC (Free Legal Advice Centres) has welcomed a report on the situation of human rights defenders in Ireland by the United Nations Special Rapporteur, Margaret Sekaggya. The Ugandan lawyer compiled her report following her visit to Ireland in November 2012 and delivered it this afternoon to the [ ... ]
New legal proceedings issued to highlight continued state injustice on transgender rights
[Press Release] - February 27, 2013
Legal rights group FLAC (Free Legal Advice Centres) today announced it had issued fresh proceedings on behalf of Dr Lydia Foy, a transgender woman who has been fighting for gender recognition in Ireland for two decades. FLAC has been representing Dr Foy since 1996.She is going back to court five [ ... ]
Government must heed call for greater access to justice for minorities
[Press Release] - February 19, 2013
Legal rights group FLAC (Free Legal Advice Centres) today welcomed a report by a pan-European body against racism that clearly highlights the need to improve systems in Ireland providing access to justice for minority groups.In its fourth report on Ireland, the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) has highlighted [ ... ]