Courts / Dublin / Report

Solicitor challenges order that he pay €500 to the court 'poor box'

Summary

Edward Bradbury, a solicitor, has been granted permission to challenge an order that he pay €500 to the District Court 'poor box' after he was unable to attend a hearing. Bradbury was acting for a bailed defendant in a criminal case when he was required to attend another court in Dublin on the same day. He asked a colleague to represent the client, but the case was adjourned because the defendant wished for Bradbury's office to be present. Later, Bradbury received an email from the court stating that he had been fined €500 to be paid to the poor box. Bradbury's solicitors argued that the judge did not have jurisdiction to impose such a penalty and that the fine was issued without formal notification. Bradbury submitted that the poor box is a common law creation and has no place in the supervision of a member of a regulated profession. The High Court granted leave to pursue the challenge, and the matter was adjourned to the New Year.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Solicitor challenges order that he pay €500 to the court 'poor box'. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial

When:

• June 11, 2025 Adjournment
• June 13, 2025 Hearing Or Sentence
• August 13, 2025 Hearing Or Sentence
• New Year Other
• 2025-11-25 Publication

Why: Despite the requested solicitor, Padraig Hyland, principal at Padraig J Hyland & Co, Arklow, Co Wicklow, attending and being willing to conclude the summary matter, it was adjourned to September because the defendant wished to have Mr Bradbury's office present. CNI source report

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Charge Or Pretrial

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Read the original CNI report