Niall Nolan BL

Niall’s criminal defence practice has involved him appearing in jury trials before both the Circuit Criminal Court and the Central Criminal Court. He has also built up an extensive mental health law and judicial review practice which has led him to appear before the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court on many occasions representing both private individuals and State bodies.

He has advised the Decision Support Service on issues relating to the commencement of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015, and has advised the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission in relation to the introduction of numerous pieces of legislation.

Niall writes and delivers papers on these practice areas, has since 2019 lectured on the King’s Inns Advanced Diploma on Quasi-Judicial Decision Making and since October 2023 has been a member of The Bar Council’s Professional Practices Committee.

In January 2025 Niall was appointed a member of The Parole Board by the Minister for Justice.

Niall is instructed by Solicitors and in-house lawyers in relation to legal proceedings as well as in an advisory capacity.

Recent cases include:-

• Sweeney v Ireland, The Attorney General and The Director of Public Prosecutions [2019] IESC 39 – Constitutionality of the charge of withholding information (Counsel for the Attorney General)
• F v The Mental Health Tribunal & Ors [2019] IESC 44 – Interpretation of the appellate provisions of the Mental Health Act 2001 (Counsel for F)
• A.B. v The Director of Public Prosecutions (Unreported Court of Appeal, 21/1/20) – Delayed prosecution of a minor – Attempt to stop trial before Circuit Court (Counsel for the DPP)

Recent other legal work:-

Independent Court appointed Examiner/Reporter on claims of Legal Professional Privilege (S.795 Companies Act 2014, appointed November 2020)

“Hearing From Our Judges”, The Bar Review July 2019

“GP Responsibilities under the Mental Health Act”, Forum – Journal of the Irish College of General Practitioners, June 2013

“Resource Issues in Public Law Challenges Against State Bodies”, Irish Law Times/Thomson Reuters, March 2013

“Defending the Mentally Unwell”, The Bar Review, November 2012

“Following in the Footsteps of Napoleon, Thatcher & Bingham” – Guest Lecturer in The Honorable Society of King’s Inns Quasi-Judicial Decision Making Course, 2020/21

Mental Health Law Update – Paper delivered at the request of the Mental Health Commission at it’s Legal Representative Seminar, April 2021

“The Long and Winding Road: Where is the Supreme Court sending us?” – Lecture delivered to the Attorney General’s Office reviewing Supreme Court Determinations from 2015-2018, September 2018

“Capacity Law: Changing Times – Detention, Restraint & Disagreement”, The Bar of Ireland’s Continuing Professional Development Programme, February 2016

Member of The Bar Council’s Equality and Resilience Committee, September 2020 to date

Member of The Bar Council’s Human Rights Committee, September 2015 – September 2018

Member of the Review Group established to review and report on the Barrister At Law Degree Course under the Chairmanship of Mr. Justice Brian Cregan, July 2014 – January 2015