Courts / Ireland / Report

Labour Court official has 'judicial immunity' from lawyer's discrimination complaint

Summary

In a July 2023 decision, the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) ruled that a Labour Court deputy chairman is entitled to judicial immunity, dismissing a disability discrimination complaint lodged by a lawyer with Parkinson's disease. The lawyer alleged that the deputy chairman repeatedly berated her, refused to allow breaks for medication or bathroom use, and made remarks implying her disability hindered her professional conduct. She claimed the deputy chairman's conduct impeded her ability to represent her client and that she was forced to request breaks publicly. The WRC found the complaint misconceived, noting the Labour Court's role as an administration of justice and that the case was not within the 2000 Act's scope. Consequently, the complaint was struck out, with the WRC affirming the deputy chairman's judicial immunity and the registrar's assertion that the hearing was conducted fairly.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Labour Court official has 'judicial immunity' from lawyer's discrimination complaint. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial

When:

• 2023-07-24 Publication

Why: The lawyer said she ultimately decided to cut short questions because of the "constant berating" by the deputy chairman. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Charge Or Pretrial

Read the original CNI report