Courts / Ireland / Report
Environmental group fails in bid to have legal aid rejection referred to EU
Summary
Friends of the Irish Environment CLG (FIE) sought to have its legal aid application rejected by the Legal Aid Board referred to the Court of Justice of the European Union. The Court of Appeal declined to refer the case. FIE had argued that, under Article 47 of the EU Charter on Fundamental Rights, it was entitled to legal aid for certain proceedings, including a High Court challenge to the National Development Plan. The Legal Aid Board, funded by the State, had rejected the application on the basis that the 1995 Civil Legal Aid Act excludes corporate bodies. The High Court upheld the board's decision, and FIE appealed to the Court of Appeal. The Court of Appeal, with Justices David Barniville, Brian Murray and Seamus Noonan, dismissed FIE's claim that the 1995 Act made it eligible for aid.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Environmental group fails in bid to have legal aid rejection referred to EU. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- 2023-03-22 Publication
Case subjects
Applicant
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
- High Court
- The High Court
Topics
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request