Medical Regulatory Law

At Noble Law Solicitors, we provide specialist legal representation to medical professionals facing complaints, investigations and disciplinary proceedings before their regulatory bodies. We understand that few professional experiences are more stressful or more damaging to personal wellbeing, reputation and career prospects than receiving notice of a complaint. Our role is to guide you through the process with clarity, discretion and strong strategic representation from the outset. A regulatory complaint can have serious consequences, even where the allegations are unfounded. Investigations may be lengthy, demanding and intrusive, and can place enormous pressure on the practitioner involved. We act for doctors, dentists, nurses, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals in responding to complaints and defending their good name, professional standing and livelihood. We work closely with our clients to ensure that they are fully supported and properly advised at every stage.

We advise and represent medical professionals in relation to complaints made to regulatory bodies, preliminary inquiries and investigations, fitness to practise investigations and hearings, professional misconduct allegations, performance and competence concerns, ethical and professional standards issues, interim suspension or restriction applications, appeals and judicial review proceedings, reputation management and strategic advice, and parallel employment or criminal issues arising from complaints. Regulatory bodies are required to follow fair procedures and natural justice. We work rigorously to ensure that every complaint is handled lawfully, proportionately and fairly. This includes challenging procedural unfairness, ensuring proper disclosure of evidence, preparing detailed written responses, identifying weaknesses in allegations, securing appropriate expert input where required, robust representation at hearings, and advising on settlement, undertakings or contested hearings where appropriate.

We recognise the personal toll that a complaint can take. Many professionals experience anxiety, uncertainty and concern for their reputation, colleagues and future career. We provide clear, practical advice designed to reduce stress and restore confidence throughout what can often be a lengthy process. Every case is different. Our objective in every matter is to secure the best possible result for our client, whether that means an early resolution, dismissal of the complaint, a successful defence at hearing, or effective challenge through appeal. At Noble Law Solicitors, we combine legal expertise, strategic judgement and discretion to protect medical professionals when it matters most. If you are facing a complaint or investigation by a medical regulator, contact Noble Law Solicitors in complete confidence.

Employment Law

At Noble Law Solicitors, we provide strategic, practical and results-focused legal advice across the full spectrum of employment law. We act for both employees and employers, giving us a balanced and commercially informed perspective in resolving workplace disputes efficiently and effectively. Our practice represents clients in matters before the Workplace Relations Commission, the Labour Court, the Circuit Court, the High Court, and the Court of Appeal where required. Whether the issue concerns an individual grievance, a complex workplace investigation, or urgent injunctive relief, we offer clear advice and strong representation at every stage. We advise and represent clients in relation to unfair dismissal claims, constructive dismissal disputes, disciplinary and grievance procedures, workplace bullying and harassment complaints, equality and discrimination claims, redundancy and restructuring matters, restrictive covenants and confidentiality disputes, breach of contract and wrongful dismissal claims,

senior executive exits and negotiated severance agreements, workplace investigations and governance issues, TUPE and business transfer issues, and injunction applications and urgent court relief. Noble Law Solicitors has a particular and recognised expertise in Whistleblower Law. We have successfully acted in many of the leading cases decided by the High Court under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 (as amended). We advise both workers making protected disclosures and employers responding to disclosures, investigations, penalisation claims, governance concerns, and regulatory risk. Our experience in this specialist and fast-developing area allows us to deliver clear, authoritative guidance in sensitive and high-stakes situations. We represent employees at all levels, from junior staff to senior executives and regulated professionals. We understand that workplace disputes can be stressful, personal and career-defining. Our role is to protect your rights, your reputation and your future.

We advise employers ranging from owner-managed businesses to larger organisations on managing workplace issues lawfully, fairly and effectively. We help minimise risk, protect business continuity and resolve disputes with confidence. Employment disputes require more than technical legal knowledge. They require judgement, strategy and an understanding of people and workplaces. At Noble Law Solicitors, we combine legal expertise with practical insight to achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients.

Estate Planning, Succession Law, Trusts and Estates

At Noble Law Solicitors, we provide clear, thoughtful and strategic advice in the areas of Estate Planning, Succession Law, Trusts and Estates. We help individuals, families, business owners, trustees and beneficiaries protect assets, plan for the future and manage the transfer of wealth with confidence. Careful planning can preserve family harmony, minimise uncertainty and ensure that your wishes are carried into effect. Our role is to provide practical legal solutions tailored to your personal, family and commercial circumstances. Effective estate planning is about more than drafting a will. It involves creating a comprehensive framework to protect your family, your assets and your legacy. We advise clients in relation to wills and codicils, lifetime gifting strategies, family wealth preservation, guardianship provisions for children, protection of vulnerable beneficiaries, business succession planning and cross-generational asset transfer strategies.

The death of a family member can be an emotional and difficult time. We provide sensitive and efficient advice in all aspects of succession law, guiding personal representatives and beneficiaries through the legal process. Our services include probate and administration of estates, grants of probate and letters of administration, rights of spouses, civil partners and children, claims against estates, interpretation of wills, intestacy issues, executor and administrator duties, disputes between beneficiaries and removal or replacement of personal representatives. We aim to resolve succession matters efficiently while protecting our clients interests at every stage.

Trust structures can be highly effective tools for asset protection, family provision and long-term wealth management. We advise on the creation, administration and dispute resolution of trusts and estates. We act in relation to family trusts, discretionary trusts, bare and fixed trusts, trust administration and governance, duties and liabilities of trustees, beneficiary rights, trust disputes and court applications, asset protection structures and complex estate administration. Estate and succession planning requires not only technical legal expertise, but judgement, discretion and an understanding of family dynamics. At Noble Law Solicitors, we combine legal precision with practical insight to create solutions that protect both assets and relationships. Whether you are making a will, planning for future generations, administering an estate or resolving a dispute, Noble Law Solicitors can provide trusted advice and effective representation.

Litigation

We resolve disputes.

We have specific knowledge and experience regarding dispute resolution in construction, commercial property, employment and company disputes. We appreciate that litigation can cause disruption to the running of a business, but it remains an efficient dispute resolution tool.

Sometimes disputes can be better resolved by effective and skilled negotiation or other dispute resolution mechanisms like mediation, conciliation, adjudication or arbitration. However, sometimes it is necessary and most effective to litigate the issues. This requires an experienced litigator focused on balancing the commercial objectives with legal options. The key to successful litigation is preparation.

The rigorous evaluation of risk and the effective presentation of a client's position are the key skills of our lawyers. We have a successful track record of resolving disputes. For the past 40 years we have represented and continue to represent public and private corporations and individuals in a wide variety of civil actions before the Circuit Court, the High Court, the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court and the European Court of Justice.

Ex-soldier settles case over health problems allegedly linked to drug

A former soldier has settled his damages action against the State over health problems allegedly suffered as a result of being prescribed the anti-malaria drug Lariam.

Patrick Fedigan (51) brought proceedings over the alleged effects of taking the drug while he served with the Defence Forces during UN peacekeeping deployments to Africa between 2001 and 2009. The claims were denied.

John Gordon SC, with Bruce Antoniotti SC and John Nolan BL, instructed by Kent Carty Solicitors, for Mr Fedigan told Mr Justice Bernard Barton on Tuesday that following out of court talks between the parties, the action had been resolved.

Counsel said the case could be struck out. No further details of the settlement, understood to be confidential, were given.

The State, represented by Eoin McCullough SC, Declan Buckley SC, Garrett Cooney BL and Joe Jeffers BL, had denied negligence or liability for any injuries suffered by the plaintiff.

The defendants had also argued Mr Fedigan was out of time to bring his case.

Mr Justice Barton welcomed the settlement.

Several cases
The action is one of several similar cases brought against the State by members of the Defence Forces who claim they suffered various illnesses as a result of being prescribed Lariam.

In his action, Mr Fedigan from Lobinstown, Navan, Co Meath claimed he was prescribed Mefloquine Hydrochloride (Lariam) when he served in Eritrea in 2001, Liberia in 2002 and Chad in 2009.

He claimed that as a result of his exposure to Lariam , he has suffered from conditions including loss of balance, anxiety, panic, insomnia, vertigo, and memory problems.

He claimed the Minister for Defence, Ireland and the Attorney General were negligent and in breach of their duty towards him on grounds including he was not a suitable person to be prescribed Lariam.

The ex-soldier claimed his prior medical history had not been ascertained before he was prescribed Lariam and the defendants did not provide him with adequate support, treatment or management when he made complaints of symptoms after being prescribed it.

Mr Fedigan further claimed the defendants failed to provide him with a safe system of work, and exposed him to risk of injury which they out to have known. He retired from the Defence Forces in 2013.

The case, had it proceeded, was expected to last up to 10 weeks.

The Irish Times
Aodhan O’Faolain