Irish Arbitration Act 2010: A New Act for a Centuries Old Tradition

Rory O'Keeffe, Legal Adviser, RPS Group Limited, Ireland, Ireland

Over the centuries, Éire or Ireland has been described by historians in many different ways: ‘The Green Isle’, ‘The land of Saints and Scholars’, the ‘Land of a Thousand Welcomes’, to name but a few. Before common law, legal practitioners were called Brehons. They were neither judges nor lawyers although many consider them so. In reality, they were arbitrators whose responsibility was to settle disagreements. The Brehons had to study the laws for years before they were allowed to practice their art due in part to the size or volume of the laws that were enforced. It was an oral code to the greatest extent, and was only first written down around the 3rd Century. One example of such laws, which is quite apt considering our current economic climate: ''If a person who is of a higher rank than you refuses to pay his debt you may sit at his doorstep and fast until he submits to arbitration. If you die before he submits he shall be blamed for your death and shall suffer lifelong disgrace.''

Rory O’Keeffe, Legal Advisor to RPS Group Limited and its subsidiaries,is the sole in-house counsel to the Irish operations of the RPS Group. Having previously worked for many years in one of Ireland’s top five law firms, he joined RPS in 2009 to advise on both contentious and non-contentious construction project related matters and general commercial/company matters arising on a day-to-day basis. His previous experience involved advising on energy and commercial matters, including contracts, legal advices, client management (domestic and international) and training (internally and at business law courses for the Law Society of Ireland). He has been involved in projects ranging from energy (wind, oil, gas, LNG, renewables), hotels, emissions trading entities, harbours, onshore and offshore exploration, utilities general and specific contract requirements, and PPP. On secondment, he also worked as in-house commercial solicitor for CIÉ (in particular, Iarnród Éireann - Irish Rail).

RPS is Ireland’s leading multi-disciplinary, all island consultancy providing planning, engineering, environmental and communications services. RPS is also an international consultancy providing advice upon: • the development of land, property and infrastructure • the exploration and production of energy and other natural resources • the management of the environment • the health and safety of people. We trade in the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, the United States, Canada, Australia and Asia and undertake projects in many other parts of the world. We employ enthusiastic, talented staff with a unique blend of skills and experience that enables them to provide reliable and practical advice. Delivering results for our clients enables us to offer our people rewarding careers and create long-term value for shareholders. We operate where concerns about energy supply and security overlap with climate change and sustainability.