Elaine Byrne: Government must not block access to justice

Centuries old law is obstacle to equality in our legal system

The four courts

Why is the government once again attempting to deny Irish citizens access to justice?

A government source confirmed to Pat Leahy in last week’sSunday Business Post that it would introduce legislation to copperfasten Ireland’s ban on third party litigation funding.

This obscure doctrine of champerty was introduced in Ireland centuries ago under the Maintenance and Embracery Act 1634. The support of someone else’s legal claim in exchange for a share of the potential ...