Bonnie Hickey BL

Bonnie has a broad civil and commercial practice.

Bonnie specialises in the area of probate and succession law, equity and trusts. She is a member of the Society of Trusts and Estate Practitioners (STEP). She is instructed in probate litigation on behalf of both applicants and estates, including claims by beneficiaries, testamentary challenges and construction suits. She regularly appears in the Non-Contentious Probate List.

She advises in complex matters involving trusts, powers of attorney, wardship, capacity and probate law. She has lectured and chaired events for the Probate and Tax Committee of the DSBA and Bar Associations.

Bonnie acts in a variety of personal injury and medical negligence litigation. She represents clients in a number of High Court actions arising from the cervical check scandal and claims involving missed diagnosis. She has been instructed in High Court catastrophic and fatal injury claims and has appears before the Coroner’s Court.

She is on the civl panel of advisory counsel for An Garda Síochána and the Specialist Human Rights panel for the IHREC (Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission).

Bonnie is currently acting for mortgage holders in five High Court test cases against Permanent TSB bank.

Bonnie’s recent and current work includes:

Probate and Succession Law

Hawe v Hawe; In the Estate of Hawe Deceased [2019]

Acting for an Estate in High Court proceedings concerning the application of S120 of the Succession Act 1965 and for related nervous shock proceedings arising from a widely publicised murder-suicide. (ongoing)

In the Estate of Horan deceased [2021]

Acting for a group of beneficiaries in linked High Court proceedings against a multi-million-euro estate concerning complex probate matters including the removal of a trustee, construction of a will and advancement. (ongoing)

In the Estate of Ulick O’Connor Deceased [2021]

Acting for the estate in High Court proceedings concerning an executors’ dispute and related court proceedings against the estate by a secured creditor.

In the Estate of Mary Ann (Maureen) Horan Deceased [2020] IEHC 21

Acting for the beneficiaries of a multi-million euro estate in High Court proceedings in which the Court removed an executor by reason of conduct.

AMS v DM and AC (In the Estate of MM deceased) [2021] 108M

Representing the estate in a High Court Injunction preventing the sale of a substantial property pending the determination of S194 proceedings by a “qualified co-habitant” (compromised by mediation).

In the Estate of EMcC deceased [2022]

Representing the plaintiffs in High Court testamentary challenge and related promissory estoppel proceedings against a high-value estate (ongoing).

Ryan v Ryan & Another [2021]

Representing the estate and notice party firm of solicitors in injunction proceedings preventing the distribution of sale proceeds of a property (compromised).

Kiernan v Foxton (In the Estate of Connolly deceased) [2021]

Representing the estate in defending adverse possession proceedings in the Circuit Court and High Court on Appeal (appeal compromised).

In the Estate of Coolahan deceased [2022]

Representing the estate in High Court proceedings seeking ‘Benjamin Orders’ to determine the rightful beneficiary of a substantial partial intestacy (ongoing).

Commercial

Five Test Cases v Permanent TSB [2021]

Currently acting for the plaintiffs in a group of test cases before the High Court in breach of contract proceedings concerning the appropriate tracker margin.

In the matter of Inch View Limited (In Liquidation) [2022] IEHC 24

Acting for the liquidator in obtaining orders under s.819 of the Companies Acts restricting the respondents from acting as directors for a period of five years.

Reade v RTE [2022]

Acting for the plaintiff in High Court proceedings concerning breach of GDPR/data protection rights in respect of documentary footage of a deceased family member in a hospital care setting without consent (ongoing)

Paul Sweeney & Co v Tesco Ireland Limited [2016]

Acting for the plaintiff in Commercial Court proceedings arising from breach of contract (compromised).

Medical Negligence & Personal Injury

 Phelan v. HSE & Quest Diagnostics [2019]

Acting for the plaintiff in High Court medical negligence proceedings arising from the cervical smear check scandal (compromised by mediation)

Stiklere (a minor) v. The Hospital for the Relief of Poor Lying in Women, Dublin (The Rotunda) [2018]

Acting for an infant plaintiff in High Court proceedings arising from significant burn injuries suffered during a medical procedure (compromised and ruled).

Murphy v. Eileen Galvin & Another [2019]

Acting for the plaintiff in High Court medical negligence proceedings arising from a scarring injury suffered as a result of negligent dermatological treatment (compromised).

Baker v Martin & Others [In the estate of Fr. Neylon deceased]

Acting for the estate in High Court personal injury proceedings in which the plaintiff is seeking damages for alleged sexual abuse by the deceased (ongoing)

 Watkins (a minor) v. MIBI [2019]

Acting for the infant Plaintiff in High Court fatal injury proceedings arising from a ‘hit and run’ incident (compromised and approved by ruling)

Cwenar v. Emerald Truck & Van Limited [2017]

Acting for the family in fatal injury proceedings arising from a workplace tyre explosion incident (compromised and ruled).

Lost Wills – Legal Implications and Court Applications – The Parchment, DSBA, Summer 2022, Issue 92.

Lost wills – court applications admitting copy wills to proof, DSBA Probate and Tax Committee Seminar, May 2022.

Updates on Probate Litigation, DSBA Probate and Tax Committee Seminar, February 2019.

Proceedings involving infant claimants, DSBA Litigation Committee Seminar, April 2018.

Discovery of Medical Records in Personal Injury and Medical Negligence Proceedings, Solicitors Group Tort Conference, November 2016.

Board Member of Progressive Credit Union.

Member of The Bar of Ireland’s Voluntary Assistance Scheme. 

Volunteer with FLAC (2013 – 2018).

Volunteer with NCLC (2013 – 2019).

Member of the Probate Bar Association.

Member of the Society of Trust and Estate Planning Practitioners (STEP).

Member of the Tort and Insurance Bar Association.