Legal News
Articles, Case Studies & Legal News from McGrath Mullan Solicitors
New registration procedures for Irish Residence Permissions in Cork and Limerick starting in July 2024
Transition of Immigration Registration to ISD for Cork and Limerick Counties Effective from 8th July 2024, there are significant changes to the registration and renewal process for Irish immigration residence permissions in Cork and Limerick. The responsibility for these services has shifted from the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) to
Permanent Residence for EU Citizens and their Family Members
Once an EU citizen or their family member has lived in Ireland continuously for 5 years, they may be eligible to apply for permanent residence in Ireland. For EU citizens, this means they will no longer need to show that they are working, self-employed, studying, involuntarily unemployed or residing with
McGrath Mullan LLP is now “Great Place to Work Certified™”
We are thrilled to announce that our firm has been officially recognised as a Great Place to Work Certified™ company. This prestigious certification is a testament to our firm’s commitment to fostering a supportive, inclusive, and empowering work environment. The Great Place to Work Institute has acknowledged our efforts in
Probate: 10 Steps to Kick-Start the Administration Process
1. Obtain a death certificate Without a death certificate, the process cannot begin at all. For example, any financial institution where the loved one held accounts, have to be satisfied that the account holder has died before they will disclose the value held in the account. Also, the Probate Office
Registering to vote – Local Elections
In the rush to ensure that a visa goes through for a loved one, or an IRP card gets issued when it needs to, we in McGrath Mullan often forget to advise our clients that regardless of their stamp or employment status, that if they are ordinarily resident in Ireland
Transfer of the family home from sole name into joint names of both spouses 2024
In some cases, a family home is registered in the sole name of just one spouse. (E.g. where one spouse owned the property before the couple got married, or traditionally, many houses were in the sole name of a husband as the wife, a homemaker, was not a breadwinner and
Lost Title Deeds – 2024
Sometimes, when a person tries to sell a property, it transpires that some or all of the title deeds cannot be found. This can lead to extensive delays while searches are made for the originals. Your solicitor can reconstitute the lost title deeds. It just takes time. In cases where
Recent Immigration Updates in Ireland 2024
The Department of Justice has recently implemented two significant updates aimed at streamlining processes and enhancing efficiency for immigrants residing in the country. These updates mark a change in responsibility and eligibility criteria, impacting individuals seeking first-time registration or renewals of residence permissions. Transfer of responsibility for first-time registration and
Changes to Commercial Rates
2024 Updates to Commercial Rates in Ireland | McGrath Mullan Law Notes re Commercial Rates Changes have been introduced to commercial rates which will affect all vendors and purchasers, landlords and tenants in commercial premises. Since 1st January, the ‘liable person’ is the occupier or person entitled to occupy (the owner
Enduring Power of Attorney
A Power of Attorney is a legal document where a Donor gives another person, their Attorney, the power to make decisions and execute legal documents on their behalf. An Enduring Power of Attorney is different in that it will only come into effect when the Donor has lost capacity to
Bringing Your Family to Ireland: Understanding EU Treaty Rights
If you are an EEA national currently residing in Ireland or are planning to move here in future and wish to bring a family member, it is important to understand your rights and entitlements. In this article, we will outline how EEA nationals can bring family members who are not
Types of Employment Permit: Understanding the Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permit and the Internship Employment Permit
The Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permit and Internship Employment Permit are two separate programmes that enable individuals to work in Ireland for a specific duration. Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permit For non-EEA nationals who are employed by a company abroad but wish to work in Ireland for a period of time to
Is it possible to obtain Irish citizenship through marriage?
If you are not an Irish citizen by birth you can become a naturalised Irish citizen through marriage. In Ireland, the option of becoming a naturalised citizen through marriage to an Irish citizen is available to individuals who meet specific eligibility criteria. Spouses and civil partners of Irish nationals are
Recognition of Foreign Divorce in Retention applications – Domicile v. Residence
We are delighted to share a recent successful outcome in an application for the review of a residence retention decision. This case underscored the importance of distinguishing between residence and domicile when seeking to retain residence rights following a foreign divorce. Our client is a Brazilian national who arrived in
Dublin Circuit Court awards damages for assault
On 17th January, our client was awarded €59,742.32 damages by Dublin Circuit Court against Michael Waters. Mr Waters, a Barrister, had previously been convicted of assaulting our client at the creche which she owns and operates. Judgement had been given against Mr Waters at an earlier court sitting even though
Purchase of Irish property by non-residents
You do not have to be resident in Ireland to purchase property here. Purchasing property will not confer any right of residency of course. As a non-resident purchaser, you will need to obtain an Irish tax number (PPS no.) so that the deed of purchase can be stamped. Without stamping,
Illegal Evictions – Tenants
The rules around residential leases and the termination of tenancies is complicated. Sometimes, an illegal eviction can occur due to a technical breach by a landlord. Other times, it is quite clear that the landlord in question has no regard for the law or their tenants’ rights. No one should
Notify ISD (Immigration Service Delivery) of change of address
. 9 of the Immigration Act 2004 requires ‘non-nationals’ to notify ISD of a change in their address. This must be given in advance to their local immigration officer and if changing areas, within 48 hours of arrival to the new immigration officer. Failure to do so can result in
ISD notice – Scam Calls
The Department of Justice Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) released a notice regarding scam calls portraying to be ISD officials. We kindly urge our clients and the wider public to be vigilant when receiving calls from unknown numbers and to not engage at all when uncertain. ISD confirms they will not
Stamp 4 Renewal – Regularisation of Long Term Undocumented Migrants Scheme (Undocumented Scheme)
The Regularisation of Long-Term Undocumented Migrants Scheme was launched 31st January 2022 and closed on the 31st July 2022. Applicants who were successful would have had a decision issued to them some time in 2022. Subsequently a 2-year “Stamp 4” permission was issued upon registration. Therefore, Stamp 4 permissions issued
EU Treaty Rights and Family Members
What are EU Treaty Rights? When immigration specialists speak about EU Treaty Rights, we are referring to the right of EU (and Swiss) citizens to be accompanied or joined by their non-EEA family members when working, studying or residing with sufficient resources in the EU.We call them “Treaty Rights” as
BUYING A SECOND-HAND PROPERTY: ONE VITAL ASPECT THAT SHOULD NOT BE OVERLOOKED:
It is of vital importance that a purchaser of a second-hand property, ensure that they instruct a suitably qualified Engineer/Architect to carry out a structural survey report. You may have come across the old Latin phrase “Caveat Emptor” which translates to “Let the Buyer Beware” or more loosely put “buy
Employment Permit Updates
On the 20th December, the Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, announced significant changes to the jobs eligible for an employment permit as well as increasing salary thresholds. Among the main changes to the employment permits system are 11 new occupations listed on the highly skilled occupations list
Learn more about the 3 Rs of Employment Permits: Reactivation, Renewal, and Redundancy
Reactivation applies when an employee who had a valid employment permit falls out of the employment permit system through no fault of their own or where they have been badly treated by their employer. In these cases, reactivation provides a pathway for re-employment where the individual has found another job
Steps in Conveyance (Purchaser)
The role of a conveyancing solicitor acting on behalf of the purchaser is crucial in ensuring a smooth and legally sound transaction. The following outlines the basic steps in this process: 1. Engagement and Instruction: The first step is for the purchaser to engage a conveyancing solicitor. Once engaged, the solicitor
Retrospective 2023: Find out everything that happened with Work Permits in Ireland
On 2nd January the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment reported Employment Permits statistical tables and company listings for the year 2023. According to the information, 30.981 Work Permits were granted in Ireland, with India occupying first place in the ranking with 11.893 work permits (38.39%) and Brazilians occupying second
How to file a Personal Injury Claim
The Steps Involved in Taking a Personal Injury Claim Lodging Your Claim When lodging a Personal Injury claim it is important to remember that it takes time and is a lengthy process. If you have suffered from an injury, you have two years from the date of the accident to
Employment Permits for Construction Workers
The construction industry is suffering more than most from a tight labour market. Carpenters, electricians, bricklayers, and skilled tradespeople of all types are in short supply. A lot of contractors and construction recruiters are not aware that it is possible to bring in skilled workers from outside of the EU
Van Der Elst Visa
Van Der Elst The “Van der Elst visa” originated from a European Court of Justice (ECJ) case known as “Van der Elst” in 1994. A non-EEA national who is lawfully resident and legally employed in another EU member state may be allowed to work on a temporary basis for that
What is a Stamp 3 Permission and When is it Granted?
A Stamp 3 permission is a common permission given to the spouses of workers on General Employment Permits. Stamp 3 is a very restrictive immigration permission. A person on Stamp 3 can reside in Ireland, but they can’t work or engage in any business, trade or profession. There may be
What happens to my Stamp 4 EUFAM if my circumstances change?
A Stamp 4 EUFAM permission is dependent on a relationship with an EEA national, which means that if there is a change in this relationship it may impact the Stamp 4 EUFAM permission. Examples would include where a marriage or civil partnership with an EEA national ends, where the EEA
What is the Labour Market Needs Test?
The Labour Market Needs Test is a requirement for certain types of employment permit applications in Ireland. The government’s policy dictates that job openings should first be offered to suitably skilled Irish and other European Economic Area (EEA) nationals. And these opportunities should only be extended to non-EEA nationals if
Changes to Stamp 4 Support Letter Application Process
The Department of Enterprise (DETE) has introduced substantial modifications to its application procedures for Stamp 4 support letters, effective from 30th November 2023. This announcement has direct implications for specific groups, notably impacting Critical Skills Employment Permit holders, Researchers on a Hosting Agreement, and NCHD Multi-Site General Employment Permit holders
Eligibility for a Stamp 4 EUFAM application based on Marriage or De-facto partnership with an EEA national
EU Treaty entitlements refer to the rights of Union citizens and their family members to move freely within EU Member States, established by Directive 2004/38/EC. Implemented in Ireland through the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) Regulations 2015, these laws grant specific rights based on economic activities such as employment,
Irish Citizenship by Descent
Ireland, known for its rich history, picturesque landscapes, and warm hospitality, has become an attractive destination for many individuals seeking to connect with their Irish roots. In some cases, a person’s Irish heritage may even mean they can become an Irish citizen. This is known as citizenship by descent and
The steps in a conveyance (Vendor)
Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring property ownership from one party to another. In Ireland, this process can be complex and involves several key steps for the vendor, who is the party selling the property. Understanding these steps is crucial to ensure a smooth and legally compliant property transaction.
Long Term Residency versus Permanent Residency: Who can apply?
Both Long Term Residency and Permanent Residency apply to individuals who have been legally resident in Ireland for a minimum period of 60 months (5 years). The difference lies in the type of permission that allowed them to stay in the country for that entire period. Long Term Residency applies
Citizenship Applications can now be made online
As of 16th October 2023, the process for applying for Irish citizenship has been incorporated into an existing online application portal (ISD Portal). Prior to that, applicants were required to complete a paper application form (Form 8), which had to be signed in the presence of a lawyer. Additionally, the
High Court win for McGrath Mullan LLP dismissing action for delay
Our firm has successfully secured the dismissal of High Court Proceedings for want of prosecution on the basis of inordinate and inexcusable delay. Our firm brought the application on behalf of our client, to have the plaintiff’s proceedings dismissed for want of prosecution in circumstances where due to the passage
Changes to Irish Naturalisation rules
The Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023 brought into effect by Minister for Justice Helen McEntee, has introduced significant changes to Naturalisation applications in Ireland, starting from 31st July 2023. Below are the main amendments: The previous “six-week rule” has been replaced, and now applicants are allowed to
Incentives for First Time Buyers and Eligible Home Buyers
The First Home Scheme (FHS) was recently introduced by the Government to assist first-time buyers who want to purchase a newly constructed property and are having difficulties in securing the full purchase price from their mortgage and deposit. In addition to first Time Buyers, the scheme also allows for people
Registering a Foreign Adoption
For any adoption which took place abroad to have legal effect in Ireland it must first be registered with the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI). In 2010 the law in relation to adoption changed substantially with the Adoption Act 2010. As a result, the AAI will only recognise two types
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