• E97 The Fifth Court - Michael O'Farrell, journalist, on the epic hunt to Michael Lynn to justice
    Nov 26 2024
    Episode 97 The Fifth Court
    Michael O’Farrell is a journalist for over two decades and has reported widely on matters of public interest from across the globe and at home. He is currently Investigations Editor with The Irish Mail on Sunday. His new book, ‘Fugitive: The Michael Lynn Story,’ is the true story of how he tracked down and then interviewed one of Ireland’s most notorious fugitives, former solicitor Michael Lynn, an emblem of the craziest days of the Celtic Tiger era. Some of the details Michael O’Farrell talks about to hosts Peter Leonard BL and Mark Tottenham BL may still make some former senior bankers feel very uncomfortable. A fabulous story fabulously told.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    43 mins
  • E96 The Fifth Court - Judge Grainne Malone talks about the new Irish Court Services podcast commemorating 100 years of the Irish courts.ars
    Nov 21 2024

    Episode 96 The Fifth Court with Peter Leonard BL and Mark Tottenham BL.

    On this episode, Judge Gráinne Malone, a former solicitor who also qualified as a barrister but who went on the bench after only six months at the bar, and who has now served thirteen years as a judge. She talks about the new Irish Courts Service Podcast, an initiative created to commemorate the centenary of the Courts of Justice Act, 1924 that established our modern Courts system. They discuss the various episodes and some curious judgements made in historic cases.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    33 mins
  • E95 The Fifth Court at the Kilkenomics Festival - Money-laundering, White Collar Crime - Marla Dukharan and Bill Black
    Nov 13 2024
    Hosts Mark Tottenham BL and Peter Leonard BL chat to Marla Dukharan and Bill Black, world experts in White Collar Crime, at an early morning talk at the Kilkenomics Festival. They discuss white collar prosecutions, and the double standards applied to Caribbean countries by the OECD, as well as Bill's book, titled 'The Best Way to Rob a Bank is to Own One' !

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    50 mins
  • E94 The Fifth Court at the Ploughing Championships - 'agricultural solicitor' Aisling Meehan
    Nov 5 2024

    Episode 94 Aisling Meehan, Agricultural Solicitor


    It takes specialist knowledge and understanding to appreciate the problems farmers face today. Every decision is affected by legal, tax and practical considerations specific to farming business.


    As a qualified solicitor, tax consultant and young trained farmer, Aisling Meehan (ex William Fry) can combine all three aspects to ensure that every decision is in the best interests of the farming business as a whole. Rather than offer a broad range of legal services, the firm specialises solely in agricultural legal and tax matters. As well as operating a niche agricultural law and tax practice from offices located at the home farm, Aisling farms her own land in partnership with her husband. She also writes a weekly legal column for the Farmers Journal.


    Her office is located in converted farm buildings, is easily accessible and informal in atmosphere. Due to the specialised nature of the work, Aisling Meehan Agricultural Solicitors have farming clients nationwide and is also regularly consulted by other professionals such as solicitors, accountants, auctioneers, bankers and agricultural advisors.



    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    24 mins
  • E93 The Fifth Court - Pascal Pichonnaz, ELI President and Professor at University of Fribourg,
    Oct 30 2024
    • Recorded at the 2024 ELI (European Law Institute) Annual Conference held at the Kings Inns, Dublin, where Fifth Court presenters, Peter Leonard BL and Mark Tottenham BL, talk to ELI President, Professor Pascal Pichonnaz
    • Professor Pichonnaz earned a Ph.D. that is in published form as ‘Habilitation’, a large book on the Law of Set-off.
    • He teaches Contract Law, European Consumer Law, Roman Law and European Private Law at the University of Fribourg. He has been a visiting professor at the universities of Liège, Pisa, Glasgow, Clermont-Ferrand, Rome II, and Paris II, as well as at the Center for Transnational Legal Studies in London.
    • He is admitted to practice law and completed his LL.M. at the University of California (Berkeley). He is also active as an arbitrator in international and national disputes.


    Peter and Mark explain what has happened to the rundown on recent important cases. Listen to learn.



    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    33 mins
  • E92 The Fifth Court - Sir Geoffrey Vos, Master of the Rolls and Head of Civil Justice in England and Wales
    Oct 23 2024

    Episode 92 The Fifth Court

    Sir Geoffrey Vos, Master of the Rolls and Head of Civil Justice in England and Wales and ELI Vice-President who attended the European Law Institute (ELI) conference in Dublin.


    Established in 2011, the ELI emulates the American Law Institute and focuses on advancing all areas of law across Europe and beyond. As the premier Institute of its kind in Europe, ELI brings together over 1,700 jurists – including academics, judges, and practitioners – to enhance legal systems through collaborative projects.


    Sir Geoffrey Vos was appointed as Master of the Rolls and Head of Civil Justice in England and Wales. In this office, he is President of the Court of Appeal (Civil Division) and leads the delivery and development of civil justice across the jurisdiction. He also has statutory responsibility in relation to the National Archives.

    Until 10 January 2021, he was Chancellor of the High Court, in charge of the Business and Property Courts of England and Wales. Between 2015 and 2016, he was President of the European Network of Councils for the Judiciary and has been active for many years on behalf of the judiciary of England and Wales in international relations in Europe and beyond.

    He is an Honorary Fellow of Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge. He is Keeper of the Black Books at Lincoln’s Inn. He has had a lifelong interest in social mobility and was Chairman of the Social Mobility Foundation between 2008 and 2011.

    He was Chairman of the Bar of England and Wales in 2007.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    29 mins
  • E91 The Fifth Court -Arthur Mathews, author, Walled In By Hate: Kevin O’Higgins, (Minister for Justice, 1922-1927)
    Oct 15 2024


    Episode 91, The Fifth Court


    A slightly longer than usual edition of Ireland's favourite podcast as our hosts delve into the light and shade of Arthur Mathews new book, 'Walled In By Hate: Kevin O’Higgins, His Friends and Enemies'.


    Arthur is well known as co-creator of Father Ted so naturally the talk starts with a chat about the modern sitcom masterpiece, and everybody's favourite Fr. Ted moments.


    However, more sombrely, the talk then turns to the subject matter of Arthur's latest book, former Minister for Justice, Kevin O'Higgins, who on July 1927, at just thirty-five years old, was assassinated on his way to Mass in Booterstown, Co. Dublin. A reviled figure for anti-Treaty republicans, O’Higgins became the target of particular venom for his vocal support of the Free State government’s execution policy during the Civil War, which saw seventy-seven IRA men executed, including the best man at his wedding, Rory O’Connor.

    If you like this episode please make sure to pass it on to others, and of course, leave a five star review.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    56 mins
  • E90 The Fifth Court - Sisterly, co-founded by Jenny O'Connell, well-known SC turned entrepreneur. Life after the bar.
    Sep 3 2024

    E90 The Fifth Court - The Vacation Sittings

    Continuing our series of law related interviews whilst regular presenters Peter Leonard BL and Mark Tottenham BL take a well-earned break.


    Life after the law. On this episode, former Senior Counsel Jenny O'Connell along with her pals Louise O'Riordan and Aoife Matthews, have all given up high-powered 'real jobs' to take the entrepreneurial journey to sell their high-end women’s health supplement to the world. Developed solely with the female in mind, because women are not small men – is what they say. And, unbelievably, women were only included in clinical trials only from 1993 onward. And it wasn't until 2022 that complete female anatomy model was created (yes, we thought this was a mistake, but no, it's true.) They're raising funds with a view to expanding into the US (particularly interested in women investors), where they're also planning to manufacture their supplement.

    This interview was first posted on our sister podcast That Great Business Show with Conall O Móráin.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show More Show Less
    25 mins