Alan Toal loses bid to halt barristers’ disciplinary case

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Alan Toal’s bid to halt his barristers’ disciplinary case was rejected by the High Court, reported on 6 May 2015. The court said there was no legal basis to recuse the judge or adjourn the proceedings until the Government responded to his lawyers.

Mr Toal had argued that judges were not independent because they were automatically made benchers of the Honorable Society of King’s Inns. His proceedings followed an internal tribunal finding that he breached the barristers’ code of conduct, including allegations about taking money from a former client, failing to engage with inquiries and berating the client.

The respondents opposed his application, and the case was continuing. Mr Toal was seeking orders and injunctions, including the removal of complaints made against him.