The Bar of Ireland says reforming contempt of court ‘long overdue’

The Council of The Bar of Ireland made its submission in response to the Commission’s issues paper on Contempt of Court and Other Offences and Torts Involving the Administration of Justice.

The submission says “legislation to address certain aspects of the law of contempt of court is long overdue” but measures “must be carefully drafted and considered in their proper context”.

It supports placing certain elements - but not all elements - of the law on contempt of court on a statutory footing and retaining the term “contempt of court” in spite of some criticism.

Further submissions on the issues paper are being welcomed by the Law Reform Commission until close of business today.