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Seminar: Legal Issues in this Economic Climate

What are now the most frequently asked questions in legal practice?  Our speakers from Holmes O’Malley Sexton Solicitors, a corporate and commercial practice based in Limerick City, share their insights from current practice.  Profiles of each of the speakers are attached. 


AGENDA

6.00 p.m. Registration/Tea and Coffee

6.05 p.m. 'Personal Exposure for Directors - Knowing the Pitfalls & Protecting Yourself'
This presentation highlights the commercial actions which can potentially lead to personal liability for Directors under the Companies Acts.  Directors should be aware of the potential pitfalls and the legal consequences of such actions, especially where a company is in financial difficulties.  This presentation also advises on the correct way to approach these situations in practice.  Topics covered include the following:

• Remuneration Payments to Directors - How high is too high?
• Payments to Creditors – Are you preferring one creditor over the others?
• Dispositions of Company Property – When are you allowed to dispose?
• Imprudent Trading.  When bad business becomes reckless or even fraudulent.

Presented by Siobhan Buckley, Partner, Business Department, Holmes O’Malley Sexton Solicitors   

6.20 p.m. 'Restriction and Disqualification of Directors'   
In a lot of cases the circumstances that give rise to personal liability may lead to the restriction and disqualification of directors.  This presentation examines director restriction and disqualification and the consequences.

Presented by Harry Fehily, Managing Partner, Holmes O’Malley Sexton Solicitors
 
6.35 p.m. 'Complying with your Employment Policies and Procedures - A Redundancy Case Study'
This case study is an example of redundancy in practice with an emphasis on selection for redundancy.  When making employees redundant it is important for a company to adhere to its policies and procedures and existing custom and practice.  Failure to follow these correctly can leave employers open to claims and fines which may increase rather than decrease overheads.  Topics covered include issues that frequently arise in practice:

• Is it possible to make long term employees redundant in favour of keeping those who have been more recently hired or does the last in first out procedure always apply?
• Can an employee who has been on extended sick leave be made redundant?
• Is it always illegal to make an employee on maternity leave redundant?  

Presented by Michelle O’Riordan, Solicitor, Employment and Pensions Unit, Holmes O’Malley Sexton Solicitors

6.55p.m. Closing Address   

DATE: 11th February 2009 at 6.00pm

VENUE: InnovationWorks, Kerry Technology Park, Tralee

If you are interested in attending, please contact Siobhan Buckley prior to 1st February, 2009 by email at siobhan.buckley@homs.ie or by telephone at 061-313222