Job Summary

The Law Reform Commission was established by the Law Reform Commission Act 1975 to keep the law under independent, objective and expert review. The Commission has five members: the President, the Full-time Commissioner, and three part-time Commissioners.

Our purpose is to review Irish law and make proposals for reform. We also work on modernising the law to make it easier to access and understand. Our law reform proposals are developed in a process which starts with a Consultation Paper. Consultation Papers examine the law and set out questions on possible changes to the law. Once a Consultation Paper is published, we invite submissions on possible changes to the law. We consult widely, consider the submissions we have received and then publish a Report setting out the Commission’s analysis and recommendations.

Many of the Commission’s proposals have led to changes in Irish law.

Main Duties

Senior Legal Researchers play a key role on the Commission’s legal research team, providing an efficient, accurate and high-quality legal research service to the Commission. Senior Legal Researchers work closely with the Director and Deputy Directors of Research to develop research questions and draft law reform recommendations for consideration by the Commission and to progress law reform projects at Commission level. Senior Legal Researchers provide guidance and mentorship to legal researchers and interns, and contribute to knowledge management practices, training, updating of skills, and information sharing.

 

Law Reform Research Projects

Under the supervision of the Director and Deputy Directors of Research, the Senior Legal Researcher carries out legal research and analysis, drafting Consultation Papers and / or Reports for publication.

Current projects include:

• Regulation of Third-Party Litigation Funding
• Reform of Non-Court Adjudicative Bodies and Appeals to Courts
• Liability of Unincorporated Associations

Upcoming projects include:

• Recognition of Foreign Divorces
• Adverse Possession

The work of the Commission and its legal researchers involves extensive consultation with relevant people and bodies, including members of the public, members of the Oireachtas, Government departments, the legal profession and other relevant professions, industry, state bodies, and NGOs.

Comparative research on the laws of other jurisdictions is an essential part of the research process.

The Commission maintains extensive library resources for this purpose, including online resources. Senior legal researchers are expected to be competent and familiar with on-line legal research resources.

Researchers attend meetings of the Commission to discuss their work, including draft research papers, and to receive direction in relation to further research to be carried out.

Access to Legislation

The Senior Legal Researcher may also, under the supervision of the Access to Legislation Manager and Deputy Managers, contribute to the Commission’s important work on Access to Legislation which produces the Legislation Directory, Revised Acts and the Classified List of In-Force Legislation.  In relation to the Legislation Directory, this involves detailed reading of legislation and noting of effects and other elements such as commencement information. The work on Revised Acts entails the analysis of amendments and other legislative effects and their incorporation using an XML authoring system.  Work on the Classified List involves the use of an IT system integrated with the Legislation Directory to update and maintain the List.

 

Key Responsibilities

• Legal research and writing, including legislative drafting to give effect to the Commission’s proposed reforms;
• Supporting the Commission’s law reform objective of producing an expert and thoroughly researched body of work containing proposals for law reform that contribute to the development of laws that are responsive to the contemporary and anticipated needs of society in Ireland;
• Progressing law reform projects, ensuring excellence, independence and objectivity in the Commission’s research, as well as delivering high standards of research quality and legal analysis in the Commission’s law reform publications;
• Preparing draft memoranda, Consultation Papers and Reports;
• Engaging and consulting with stakeholders, ensuring an end-user focus in the Commission’s law reform work;
• Maintaining and updating the Legislation Directory, Classified List and Revised Acts;
• Promoting human rights and equality in the law reform work of the Commission;
• Promoting innovation in the law reform work of the Commission;
• Working collaboratively and effectively with others to meet the Commission’s objectives of keeping the law under independent, objective and expert review, making recommendations for law reform, and making current law accessible to all;
• Supporting the Management Committee and the Commission;
• Mentoring, supporting and guiding less experienced colleagues;
• Undertaking such other duties as may from time to time be assigned by the Director / Deputy Directors of Research and Access to Legislation Managers.

Applicants should note that the above is a general guide to the role in these areas and is not an exhaustive description of the duties which are associated with the role or tasks which may be assigned to the role of Senior Legal Researcher in the Law Reform Commission. Applicants should also note that additional duties may be assigned from time-to-time.

Selection Process

Essential Requirements

 

Candidates must have, on or before 1^st July 2026:

• at least a 2:1 honours law degree which includes Irish law as a major component (this degree must be at least a Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications) or a recognised relevant professional legal qualification;
• Have demonstrable experience in conducting in-depth legal research and analysis gained either through relevant undergraduate or post-graduate studies or through conducting legal research and analysis in a practical professional context.

• Excellent knowledge of Irish law and legal system, with a deep understanding of the Irish legal and legislative landscape;

• A minimum of 18 months’ work experience in legal research;

• applied knowledge of legal and social science research methodologies.

 

 

Desirable Requirements

• a master’s degree in law and/or a professional legal qualification in Irish law or equivalent knowledge gained in a professional setting, or a qualification, acceptable to the Law Reform Commission as equivalent, in which Irish law was taken as a major component;

• Knowledge and experience of dealing with complex legal matters, whether in an academic, professional research or practice setting;

• Strong legal writing, research, and analytical skills with excellent attention to detail;

• Good editorial skills and the ability to write and present research and information in a concise, accessible and plain English style;

• Information technology skills, particularly using Microsoft Office, legal research databases and online legal resources;
• The ability to prioritise and manage workloads, to cope with conflicting demands on time;
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and teamwork skills;

• Demonstrable experience in contributing to substantial research projects.

Candidates will also be expected to be able to demonstrate the competencies for a role at Higher Executive Officer level, please refer to Appendix 1.

Panel

A panel will be established from which future vacancies may be filled. If you would like additional information on these vacancies, please visit the Commission’s website www.lawreform.ie or contact the HR Unit at Tel. 01-6377609.

 

Eligibility to Compete and Certain Restrictions on Eligibility

 

Citizenship Requirement –

Eligible candidates must be:

1. A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or
2. A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or
3. A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or
4. A non-EEA citizen who has a stamp 4 permission [1] or a Stamp 5 permission.

To qualify candidates must meet one of the citizenship criteria above by the date of any job offer.

 

Please find the Information Booklet for this Position here.

Please find the Application Form for this Position here.