Behind the Scenes at the WRC’s Adjudication Service: A Sneak Peek Beyond 2023!

To register for free click here

As part of Legal Island’s 25th Anniversary Webinar series, we are exploring the journey of the Adjudication Service of Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) since its establishment to now. Undoubtedly, the WRC has in the last 3 years gone through its most challenging period and is entering a new era in its adjudicative model. You don’t want to miss this opportunity to hear directly from an Adjudication Officer on best practice for respondents who are coming before the WRC’s Adjudication Service.

How do respondents handle the changing landscape of the WRC’s Adjudication Service?

Background

The Supreme Court Zalewski judgmentrepresented the most significant framework development regarding the WRC’s Adjudication Service since its establishment. The judgement fundamentally changed the WRC’s adjudicative model to one where the service must act consistent with the full standards expected in our higher courts and how:

hearings should take place in public

decisions published with parties named (for the most part)

WRC adjudicators have statutory powers to administer an oath or affirmation

an oath must be administered where there may be a serious and direct conflict of evidence.

Additionally, it required significant amendments to WRC processes and procedures to enable members of the public attend what were mainly virtual hearings given we were in the midst of a pandemic. All of this led to a huge disruption to the Adjudication Service adding to the build-up of cases over the last number of years.

Cast your mind back to 2015 when the goal of the Government was to have a world-class workplace relations service which was simple to use, independent, effective, impartial, efficient, to provide for workable means of redress and enforcement, and to reduce costs to business. Now, eight years later since the WRC’s establishment, we explore the status of the Adjudication Service and whether that goal is beyond our reach in 2023 and into the future.

By attending this webinar, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of the recent changes to the WRC Adjudication Service, and leave with key takeaways directly from an Adjudication Officer as what they expect from YOU at a hearing. Don’t miss the opportunity to stay informed and ahead of the curve in the ever-changing world of the Irish employment law dispute resolution.

Who should attend?

This event is ideal for line managers, HR professionals, solicitors, barristers, in-house counsel and anyone who has a hearing, mediation or conciliation coming up before the WRC.

Programme

Laura McKee, Knowledge Partner, Legal Island leads the discussion with our expert panel, Jennifer Cashman, Head of Employment, RDJ LLP and David Small, Director of Adjudication Services, WRC will explore where we are in 2023, and what it means for Irish employers. Join our experts who will share insights and practical tips on the following:

Where are we two years on from the Zalewski Supreme Court decision? What employers, their representatives and witnesses must know about the impact of the Supreme Court ruling when preparing for a WRC hearing in 2023 and beyond.

Getting the procedures right: Best practice for employers preparing and attending WRC hearing in 2023.

Where does the Adjudication Service go from here? Can we expect more procedural changes and if so, how does a respondent handle that?

Testimonials

Presenters

David Small Director of Adjudication Services

Workplace Relations Commission (WRC)

David Small has been Director of Adjudication Services of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), since its establishment on 1 October 2015. Prior to his appointment, David had worked as Principal Officer in the Employment Rights and Industrial Relations Reform section in the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation as part of the significant workplace relations reform. He had also worked with various employment rights and industrial relations bodies prior to reform, including in the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) and as Secretary to the Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT).
Jennifer Cashman Partner, Head of Employment

RDJ LLP

Jennifer is Head of Employment and is also a member of the firm’s Healthcare and Cyber and Data Protection Teams. She is nationally regarded for her encyclopaedic knowledge of employment law and is the “go-to” advisor for corporate clients in both the public and private sector.

Jennifer's key clients include scaling and established Irish companies in a variety of sectors, multinational companies in the technology, pharmaceutical, medical devices and diagnostics sectors and public authorities. Her focus is on working closely with her clients to provide commercial legal advice and practical, commercial solutions for their business.

Strengthening the Team’s focus in the medical-technical sector, Jennifer is a member of RDJ’s Healthcare Team, acting for clients including pharmaceutical companies, health insurers, numerous medical device companies, and nursing homes. Advice includes regulatory and employment healthcare-specific issues, in respect of which Jennifer represents her clients before the Courts and the WRC/Labour Court.

Jennifer is regularly invited to contribute as a key-note speaker at employment law and HR conferences, events and webinars for CIPD, and Legal-Island. She is a recognised thought-leader on various employment law and HR issues, in particular in the areas of retirement ages and age discrimination.

Behind the Scenes at the WRC’s Adjudication Service: A Sneak Peek Beyond 2023!