The Bar of Ireland

The Council of The Bar of Ireland is the representative body for barristers who are members of the Law Library in Ireland. The Irish Bar aims to provide its clients with a high level of expertise in all areas of law and skilled advocacy (pleading a case) by people of integrity and independence.Barristers have been practising in Ireland for at least 450 years. In 1541 The Honorable Society of King's Inns was established when a lease was granted by Henry VIII for the use of Blackfriars monastery (now the location of the Four Courts). The Society was moved to its present location on Constitution Hill in 1800The Irish legal system is based on the common law, which originated in England. This type of system attaches great significance to judge-made law. A decision in one case is legally binding on all subsequent cases with similar facts unless it is reversed by a higher court or on appeal. Other sources of law in Ireland include the Constitution, Acts of the Oireachtas (statutes) and the law of the European Communities.Under the Irish justice system, court hearings in contested cases are conducted in an adversarial manner. This means that each side presents its case and seeks to challenge that of its opponents through the evidence of its own witnesses, cross-examination and legal argument.