Professional and representative bodies
Irish Women Lawyers Association - http://www.iwla.ie/
The Irish Women Lawyers Association (IWLA) aims to provide a professional and social network for women lawyers. The IWLA's three different categories of membership comprise judges, barristers, solicitors, academic lawyers, trainee lawyers in both the barrister and solicitor professions, law students and those interested in the work of the Association. Among the aims and objectives of IWLA is the promotion of the wider participation of women in the development of law and justice for all.
The Bar Council of Ireland - http://www.barcouncil.ie
All barristers practicing in Ireland are subject to the professional standards set by the Bar Council, which regulates and acts as the representative body for barristers. Practising barristers in Ireland are subject to the Bar Council's Code of Conduct. The purpose of the Code of Conduct is to ensure that barristers uphold the highest professional and ethical standards in the conduct of their relations with clients, the courts and the public. Complaints of misconduct against barristers are investigated and adjudicated upon by the nine-person barristers' Professional Conduct Tribunal.
The Law Society of Ireland - http://www.lawsociety.ie
The Law Society is the educational, representative and regulatory body of the solicitors' profession in Ireland. It exercises statutory functions under the Solicitors Acts 1954-2002 in relation to the education, admission, enrolment, discipline and regulation of the solicitors' profession. The Society works to improve access to the law generally and also provides representation, services and support for solicitors themselves. The Society also deals with complaints from the public about members of the profession and administers a statutory compensation fund.
Southern Law Association - http://www.sla.ie
The Sourthern Law Association (SLA) is an association of solicitors whose members consist of practitioners working in Cork City and County. It is primarily concerned with issues affecting its members and the profession as a whole, gives assistance in resolving disputes or difficulties concerning its members, and helps members of the public who are experiencing difficulty in obtaining legal representation. The SLA will not give legal advice or opinions to any person but will assist him/her in finding a practitioner. The site provides a list with contact details of members.
Dublin Solicitors Bar Association - http://www.dsba.ie
The Dublin Solicitors Bar Association (DSBA) was set up in 1938 by a dedicated and like-minded group of solicitors who identified the need for an Association of practising solicitors to reflect the views of those practising throughout Dublin and to represent their interests. The DSBA provides information seminars, advice and social events for members. It operates a confidential helpline for members at (01) 2848484. The DSBA has various committees and lobbies the government on issues relevant to the association. It produces a magazine, The Parchment, as well as other publications.
Union of Students in Ireland - http://www.usi.ie
The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) is the sole national representative body for students in Ireland. It represents more than 250,000 students in over forty colleges across Ireland. It campaigns on behalf of the students of Ireland for a better education system, fairer student support, genuine diversity in access to edcuation, and adequate funding for all students. It also works on issues like equality, LGBT rights, welfare and the Irish language.
Irish Congress of Trade Unions - http://www.ictu.ie
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) is an all-Ireland structure that represents and campaigns on behalf of some 770,000 working people. There are currently 56 unions affiliated to the ICTU, north and south of the border. It seeks to achieve a just society that recognises the rights of all workers and citizens and strives to achieve economic development, social cohesion and justice by upholding the values of solidarity, fairness and equality, primarily through the organisation of workers in unions. It provides information, advice and training to unions and their members, promotes the principles of trade unionism through campaigns and policy development, and represents and advances the economic and social interests of working people.