Legal work

It's been a lazy month for me in terms of blogging. Why I hear you ask?


For the best part of the month I've been on my own in the office dealing with everything, as the boss was out of the country on business, only to be delayed by the Volcanic Ash that disturbed air travel into and across Europe.


Most of the last month was spent doing work that I would not normally be fully engaged in. One such job was attending court as an expert witness for a public house licence application. Well it took two visits to the court to sort out the licence after an objection was received on the first day. I have to say it was an interesting experience and the licence was sorted out in the end.


Sticking with the all things legal, I spend some days preparing a report for another court case, this time, where a builder renovated a house and the standard of work leaves a lot to be desired. Without going into any details, the fact that the project did not have any supervision by a consultant didn't help matters nor did the fact that there were no detailed construction drawings. This should prove an interesting case when it does come before the courts.


Add sorting out a few land registry maps into the mix and you get the type of time I've been having. Dealing with legal map is at the best of times a pain, but when solicitors are introduced into the dealings, it can become more troublesome than its worth, particularly when one gets solicitors whom are not all that familiar will conveyancing.

Other work involved dealing and making a few observations on planning applications on behalf of clients, not something I used to do regularly in the past, however money is money.  Sticking with planning its been a mixed bag in terms of decisions in the last few weeks, there was one refusal for a village centre development by An Bord Pleanala, which was disappointing, in that it had received the green light for the planning authority and the inspector's report was very favorable towards a number of aspects of the scheme.  We did receive three positive decisions in terms of developments and lodged two planning applications in the last month.  A further planning application is due to be lodged late next week.

The two jobs on site are currently progressing well, both should require site visits next week as stage payments will due to be certified.

Planning Applications and decisions

Just putting the finishing touches to two "huge" (not ! ) planning applications this morning: A retention application for a coffee shop measuring 30 sq . m and an application for a replacement domestic garage.

The coffee shop application, is a result of planning enforcement, which is a big thing at the moment, in many of these case the first part should seek a Section 5 Declaration or referral, where a warning letter is sent out, prior to replying for retention. It was not an option in this case as there is not parent permission. The decision f the planning authority will be interesting.

The application for the garage is a straight forward application, although an additional hassle on the clients, has they have had the garage uprooted, due tot he recent flood relief works in Clonmel.

Friday did bring some positive news in that the planning authority granted permission for a development... admittedly reducing the floor area by 230 sq. metres, in reducing the development by a floor.

Friday was also to see a decision by An Bord Pleanala, in respect to a development which was subject to a third party appeal, however as of yet there is no news, the decision date , has been put back a number of times already, so there will be no surprise, if its put back again.