Editor:
On September 10, at the American Irish Historical Society in New York City, Ireland for Law held the final event of its ambitious NYC Mission 2026.
Ireland for Law is the Irish Government’s initiative to promote Ireland as a leading global center for international legal services and a forum for the resolution of disputes, and also the use of Irish law in business transactions.
Luminaries of Ireland's governmental and legal establishments spoke, including former Taoiseach Enda Kenny, now President of Ireland for Law, Catherine Ardagh TD, Minister of State at Ireland's Department of Justice, Home Affairs, and Migration, Rossa Fanning, Attorney General of Ireland, Mr. Justice David Barniville, President of Ireland's High Court and Ireland's designated arbitration judge, Seán Guerin, Chair of the Bar of Ireland, and Paul McGarry SC, former Chair of the Bar of Ireland.
A highlight of the evening was the signing of a historic Memorandum of Understanding between The Bar of Ireland and the New York State Bar Association. The signatories were Seán Guerin, Taa Grays, President of NYSBA, and Helen Naves, Chair of the New York State Bar Association International Section.
One topic of discussion at the event was the advantages for U.S. businesses of using Ireland as a forum for international arbitrations in Europe.
After Brexit, Ireland is the only English-speaking, common law jurisdiction in the European Union and a pro-arbitration policy enshrined in its Arbitration Act of 2010. The latest news about arbitration is that the eminent International Centre for Dispute Resolution, in coordination with Arbitration Ireland, has launched a hub in Dublin, one of only two such hubs in the world (the other is in Singapore). As a result, Dublin is not only an excellent forum for arbitrations involving business in Europe, but will also be an excellent forum for arbitrations involving business in Africa and the Middle East.
Programs earlier in the week addressed financial services in Ireland, cross-border disputes, investigations, and data privacy in Ireland, and arbitration in Ireland. Former Taoiseach Kenny also visited the Irish Arts Center during the week. Congratulations to Dermot Ryan, the Executive Director of Ireland for Law, for last week’s triumph. More at https://www.irelandforlaw.com/
Ed Lenci
The writer is a Partner at Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, Third Avenue in Manhattan
