CIÉ Solicitor's Office is responsible for protecting CIÉ’s legal interests and provides in-house legal services to CIÉ, Iarnród Éireann, Bus Éireann and Bus Átha Cliath.
The work carried out is divided into five principal areas:
1. Property
The Commercial Property Department provides legal advice/assistance to CIÉ and its subsidiaries on a wide range of commercial property and railway safety issues. This includes advising on Development Agreements, Retail Units, Landlord and Tenant Law, Railway Property Law, Public Procurement Law, Bridge Agreements, Telecoms and Fibre Optic Agreements, Railway Orders/Compulsory Purchases, Sales and Purchases of Property by Private Treaty/Public Auction/Tender, Leases and Licences, Adverse Possession claims, Abandoned Railway Lines, The Level Crossings Project, Railway Safety Critical Issues, Greenways and Property Registrations including Compulsory First Registrations.
2. Commercial & Regulatory
The commercial and regulatory team provides legal advice/assistance to CIÉ, Bus Éireann, Bus Átha Cliath and Iarnród Éireann and CIÉ Tours. This includes advising on national and EU transport law, public procurement, contract law, intellectual property, information technology, freedom of information, company law, competition law, advertising, sponsorship, lobbying, data protection, access to information on the environment, transfer of undertakings, pensions and State Aid.
3. Litigation
This work relates to a wide variety of issues handling: prosecution of offenders who breach transport laws, personal injuries actions, judicial reviews, injunction applications for railway orders and compulsory purchase orders, arbitrations etc.
4. Specialist Advice
In relation to public transport law, national law affecting public transport and competition and issues relating to transport-related regulatory agencies i.e. The Commission for Railway Regulation and the National Transport Authority.
5. Employment Law
The Group Solicitors Office deals with claims involving unfair dismissals and other disciplinary disputes in the operating companies before the Workplace Relations Commission and on appeal to the Labour Court or Circuit Court with referrals to the High Court on certain situations. In addition claims under the Equal Status Acts on the grounds of disability, race, gender or age are defended by Group Solicitors on behalf of the operating companies.