The Fifth Court - DSBA Legal Podcast of the Year

E100 The Fifth CourtFor its 100th episode, The Fifth Court hosts, Peter Leonard BL and Mark Tottenham BL, had a lengthy, informative and highly entertaining chat with former Mr. Justice Peter Kelly - President of the High Court of Ireland from 2015 to 2020 who was widely recognised for his work in complex commercial and public interest cases.He is credited with establishing Ireland’s Commercial Court in 2004. Under his leadership, the court became internationally renowned for its efficient handling of high-value and complex commercial disputes, boosting Ireland’s reputation as a hub for commercial litigation. Justice Kelly earned a reputation for his no-nonsense, efficient, and direct approach in court. He handled high-profile cases, including insolvency matters and cases involving corporate misconduct.Before becoming President of the High Court, he served on the Court of Appeal following its establishment in 2014, contributing to key appellate decisions in Irish law.Born in 1950, he was educated at O'Connell's School and then at University College Dublin (UCD) (via a career in the Civil Service) and later qualified as a barrister from King’s Inns. He was appointed a Senior Counsel (SC) in 1986 and a judge of the High Court in 1996.Part II on episode 101.With thanks to The Expert Witness Site - The Independent Source of Expert Witnesses https://expertwitnesssite.com

E99 The Fifth Court.Mark Tottenham and Peter Leonard talk to Mick Clifford, author of the best-selling true-crime book, 'Who killed Una Lynskey?'This is the true story of murder and vengeance, a shattered community and a miscarriage of justice that echoes down the decades.In October 1971 nineteen-year-old Una Lynskey vanished near her home in Co. Meath. In the weeks that followed, and on flimsy grounds, Gardaì identify three young local men as suspects. Within days of her body being found, one of the three young men is beaten to death by members of Una's family. The entire sequence of events is a tragedy in a quiet rural community - the wrong men jailed, no one ever facing justice - and becomes one of the most notorious failures in Irish policing and judicial history.Mick is Special Correspondent for the Irish Examiner newspaper and has worked in print and broadcast journalism for over twenty years. He is the author of three non-fiction books, including A Force for Justice: The Maurice McCabe Story, and two crime novels.We are extremely grateful to our sponsors for this episode, Parte and Associates, solicitors, of Baggot Street, Dublin 4, specialists in Elder Law and Mental Health Law

Episode 98 of The Fifth Court podcast was recorded LIVE at the Allingham Festival in Donegal, on Friday 8 November 2024.Mark Tottenham BL and Peter Leonard BL chatted to the amazing Nelofer Pazira, whose life story is quite extraordinary. She has also has recently completed work on the final book of her late husband, the renowned journalist, Robert Fisk.Nelofer Pazira is a remarkable storyteller, journalist, filmmaker, and humanitarian. Born in Afghanistan, Nelofer's life journey has been one of resilience, creativity, and a relentless pursuit of truth. She may be best known for her critically acclaimed film, "Kandahar", which offered a rare, poignant look into the lives of Afghan women under Taliban rule. Her work combines powerful storytelling with deep cultural insights, bringing voices from the margins to the forefront.As a journalist, Nelofer has been a beacon of truth, using her platform to highlight stories of war, displacement, and the human spirit's resilience. Her writings and speeches continue to inspire action and awareness on global humanitarian issues. Her book, "A Bed of Red Flowers: In Search of My Afghanistan", is a deeply personal memoir that sheds light on the complexities of identity, exile, and belonging—a must-read for those seeking a deeper understanding of Afghanistan's history and culture.Beyond her creative endeavors, Nelofer is a passionate advocate for women's rights, education, and peacebuilding in war-torn regions. Her work reminds us of the power of art and storytelling to foster understanding and change."We are extremely grateful to our sponsors for this episode, Parte and Associates, solicitors, of Baggot Street, Dublin 4, specialists in Elder Law and Mental Health Law."#Storytelling #HumanRights #Filmmaking #Leadership #Advocacy #GlobalVoices

Episode 97 The Fifth CourtMichael O’Farrell is a journalist for over two decades and has reported widely on matters of public interest from across the globe and at home. He is currently Investigations Editor with The Irish Mail on Sunday. His new book, ‘Fugitive: The Michael Lynn Story,’ is the true story of how he tracked down and then interviewed one of Ireland’s most notorious fugitives, former solicitor Michael Lynn, an emblem of the craziest days of the Celtic Tiger era. Some of the details Michael O’Farrell talks about to hosts Peter Leonard BL and Mark Tottenham BL may still make some former senior bankers feel very uncomfortable. A fabulous story fabulously told.

Episode 96 The Fifth Court with Peter Leonard BL and Mark Tottenham BL.On this episode, Judge Gráinne Malone, a former solicitor who also qualified as a barrister but who went on the bench after only six months at the bar, and who has now served thirteen years as a judge. She talks about the new Irish Courts Service Podcast, an initiative created to commemorate the centenary of the Courts of Justice Act, 1924 that established our modern Courts system. They discuss the various episodes and some curious judgements made in historic cases.

Hosts Mark Tottenham BL and Peter Leonard BL chat to Marla Dukharan and Bill Black, world experts in White Collar Crime, at an early morning talk at the Kilkenomics Festival. They discuss white collar prosecutions, and the double standards applied to Caribbean countries by the OECD, as well as Bill's book, titled 'The Best Way to Rob a Bank is to Own One' !

Episode 94 Aisling Meehan, Agricultural SolicitorIt takes specialist knowledge and understanding to appreciate the problems farmers face today. Every decision is affected by legal, tax and practical considerations specific to farming business. As a qualified solicitor, tax consultant and young trained farmer, Aisling Meehan (ex William Fry) can combine all three aspects to ensure that every decision is in the best interests of the farming business as a whole. Rather than offer a broad range of legal services, the firm specialises solely in agricultural legal and tax matters. As well as operating a niche agricultural law and tax practice from offices located at the home farm, Aisling farms her own land in partnership with her husband. She also writes a weekly legal column for the Farmers Journal.Her office is located in converted farm buildings, is easily accessible and informal in atmosphere. Due to the specialised nature of the work, Aisling Meehan Agricultural Solicitors have farming clients nationwide and is also regularly consulted by other professionals such as solicitors, accountants, auctioneers, bankers and agricultural advisors.

Recorded at the 2024 ELI (European Law Institute) Annual Conference held at the Kings Inns, Dublin, where Fifth Court presenters, Peter Leonard BL and Mark Tottenham BL, talk to ELI President, Professor Pascal Pichonnaz Professor Pichonnaz earned a Ph.D. that is in published form as ‘Habilitation’, a large book on the Law of Set-off. He teaches Contract Law, European Consumer Law, Roman Law and European Private Law at the University of Fribourg. He has been a visiting professor at the universities of Liège, Pisa, Glasgow, Clermont-Ferrand, Rome II, and Paris II, as well as at the Center for Transnational Legal Studies in London.He is admitted to practice law and completed his LL.M. at the University of California (Berkeley). He is also active as an arbitrator in international and national disputes.Peter and Mark explain what has happened to the rundown on recent important cases. Listen to learn.