Amicus Curiae
The Commission’s legal powers include the power to apply to the High Court, Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court for liberty to appear before the courts as amicus curiae (friend of the court) in proceedings that involve or are concerned with human rights or equality.
Recent submissions
Here are some of the cases that the Commission has sought liberty of the Superior Courts to intervene as amicus curiae. These cases relate to important matters of human rights and equality including data privacy remedies, prisoners’ rights, children’s rights, the rights of asylum seekers and non-EU nationals to live/work in Ireland and the bringing of complaints pursuant to the Employment Equality Acts 1998–2015.
Commission Examines Supreme Court Decision on Constitutional Rights of Non-Citizens
16 Nov 2023
Commission appeared before the Supreme Court as amicus curiae The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (‘the Commission’) is examining the decision of the Supreme Court, in a case concerning the extent to which non-citizens may rely on the rights guaranteed by the Constitution when subject to deportation orders. The Commission had been joined to...
“Sárú Soiléir” ar Chearta Páiste faoi Mhíchumas é Nós Imeachta FSS, a Chinneann Cúirt
10 Nov 2023
An Coimisiún ag gníomhú mar amicus curiae i gcás tábhachtach Fáiltíonn Coimisiún na hÉireann um Chearta an Duine agus Comhionannas (‘an Coimisiún’) roimh chinneadh na Cúirte Achomhairc inniu, i gcás tábhachtach a bhain le Buan-nósanna Imeachta Oibríochta (BIOnna) FSS i leith Measúnú ar Riachtanais do pháiste faoi mhíchumas. Bhí baint ag an gCoimisiún leis an...
Fáiltíonn an Coimisiún um Chearta an Duine agus Comhionannas roimh Rialú na Cúirte Uachtaraí i gCás faoi Cheart chun Triail Chóir
31 Aug 2023
D’fheidhmigh an Coimisiún Ról Amicus Curiae sa Chás os comhair na Cúirte Uachtaraí Cuireann Coimisiún na hÉireann um Chearta an Duine agus Comhionannas (an “Coimisiún”) fáilte roimh bhreithiúnas tábhachtach ón gCúirt Uachtarach i gcás coiriúil a phléigh an bhfuil freaschur an dualgais cruthúnais ar dhuine cúisithe ceadaithe ar “chothrom na dóchúlachta” agus aird ar an...
Commission Welcomes Important Ruling in Anti-Social Behaviour Order Case
26 May 2023
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (‘the Commission’) welcomes the Court of Appeal ruling concerning the making of civil orders restraining anti-social behaviour. In this case, an anti-social behaviour order was made by the District Court against an individual who was later convicted and sentenced to four months imprisonment for breach of that order....
Supreme Court Reaches Judgment in Important Adoption Case
25 May 2023
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (‘the Commission’) notes the Supreme Court’s ruling yesterday in a case involving involuntary adoption and the constitutional rights of the child. The case centred on the adoption of a minor, known as B, who has a learning disability. On 18 and 19 April 2023, the Supreme Court heard...
Tarraingíonn Rialú na Cúirte Uachtaraí faoi Mháthairionadaíocht Aird ar Cheisteanna Casta Dlí agus Beartais
12 May 2023
Rialaigh an Chúirt Uachtarach an tseachtain seo nach raibh páiste a rugadh sa Ríocht Aontaithe trí shocrú máthairionadaíochta i dteideal saoránacht Éireannach bunaithe ar shaoránacht Éireannach a athar neamhbhitheolaíoch. Scrúdaigh an cás, inar ghníomhaigh Coimisiún na hÉireann um Chearta an Duine agus Comhionannas (“an Coimisiún”) mar Amicus Curiae (“cara na cúirte”), saoránacht páiste (ar a...
Commission Appears Before Supreme Court in Important Case Concerning the Admissibility of Evidence in Criminal Proceedings
3 May 2023
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission appeared before the Supreme Court on 25 and 26 April as amicus curiae (or ‘friend of the court’) at a hearing that relates to the admissibility of evidence and the right to a fair trial. The cases of The People (at the suit of the DPP) vs Caolan Smyth and...
Submissions of Amicus Curiae in the cases of The People (at the suit of the DPP) vs Caolan Smyth and The People (at the suit of the DPP) vs Gary McAreavey
3 May 2023
The Legal Submissions made by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission in the cases of The People (at the suit of the DPP) vs Caolan Smyth and The People (at the suit of the DPP) vs Gary McAreavey
Commission Appears Before Supreme Court in Important Involuntary Adoption Case
21 Apr 2023
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission appeared before the Supreme Court on 18 and 19 of April as amicus curiae (or ‘friend of the court’) in a case that relates to involuntary adoption and the constitutional rights of the child. The case centres on the adoption of a minor, known as B, who has an intellectual...
Submissions of Amicus Curiae in the matter of B, a Minor – CFA and A v The Adoption Authority of Ireland, and C and D
20 Apr 2023
The Legal Submissions made by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission in the matter of B, a Minor – CFA and A v The Adoption Authority of Ireland, and C and D can be downloaded below
Amicus Curiae submission 2 on The High Court Judicial Review in the matter of Directive 2013/33/EU and the EU Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018
6 Apr 2023
Amicus Curiae submission 1 on The High Court Judicial Review in the matter of Directive 2013/33/EU and the EU Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018
6 Apr 2023
Commission Granted Role in Case on the Admissibility of Evidence in Criminal Proceedings
31 Mar 2023
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission has been granted liberty by the Supreme Court to exercise its amicus curiae function (‘friend of the court’) in the joined cases of The People (at the suit of the DPP) vs Caolan Smyth and The People (at the suit of the DPP) vs Gary McAreavey concerning the admissibility...
Commission to assist High Court in cases involving State’s duty to International Protection applicants
27 Mar 2023
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (the ‘Commission’) has been granted leave by the High Court to exercise its amicus curiae (‘friend of the court’) function in two important cases concerning the human rights of two individuals who arrived in the State seeking International Protection. These cases involve two male applicants, who separately sought International...
Submissions of Amicus Curiae in the Case of O. V The Minister for Justice and Equality
20 Mar 2023
The Legal Submissions made by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission in the Case of O. V The Minister for Justice and Equality can be downloaded below