Can you advise how long a company needs to retain medical certificates on file for an employee and whether electronic documents are admissible in court e.g. contracts of employment?

It is advisable to retain medical certificates for at least two years post-termination of employment, as this is the length of time that an employee has to bring a personal injury claim arising out of any accident/incident. However, if that employee has been exposed to harmful agents or substances that could give rise to a claim at a later date (i.e. any illness which may not manifest itself for some time), then it may be advisable to keep them for longer, up to six years.

With regard to electronic documents, Irish law has been updated by the E-Commerce Act 2000 (“ECA”) to recognise that where information is required to be “in writing”, electronic form will meet this requirement. Under the