PELGBA Annual Conference 2026
The Planning, Environment, Local Government Bar Association are pleased to announce their Annual Conference 2026.
Date: Friday 3rd July 2026
Location: Room 1&2, DDRC, Distillery Building, 145-151 Church St
Timing: 10.30am - 17.15pm
CPD Points: 5*
Taking place in the Dublin Dispute Resolution Centre on Friday 3rd July, the PELGBA Annual Conference is a must-not-miss CPD event for practitioners in the area of planning, environment, and local government law.
In a legal year which has brought about significant changes in the area of planning and environment law - including commencement of sections of the 2024 Act, the publication of the Critical Infrastructure Bill 2026, and the coming into force of the Planning and Development (Costs of Part 9 Judicial Review Proceedings) Regulations 2026 - the PELGBA Annual Conference aims to provide practitioners with a comprehensive overview of the key developments at national and European level.
Schedule:
10.30am
Registration and Tea / Coffee
11.00am
Welcome - Tom Flynn SC, Chairperson of PELGBA
Introductory Remarks - The Hon. Mr. Justice Richard Humphreys
11.15am
Alex White SC - Some reflections on the Climate Act, ten years on
Roz O'Connell BL - Updates in Planning Enforcement
12.50pm Sit Down Lunch in Jorge's restaurant, Ground Floor of the Distillery Building
13.50pm
Alan Keating SC - New Costs Provisions
Stephen Dodd SC - Developments in AA and EIA
15.15pm Tea / Coffee Break in the Front Atrium
15.30pm
Margaret Gray SC - Recent judgments of the CJEU
16.10pm Panel Discussion: Planning and Development Act 2024 - 9 months on, where are we now?
Moderator:
Peter Leonard BL
Panellists:
Aoife Carroll SC
John Kenny BL
Ellen O'Callaghan BL
Brendan Slattery, McCann Fitzgerald
17.15pm Tom Flynn SC - Closing Remarks
The event will be followed by a networking and drinks reception in The Sheds
For more information and details of other upcoming events from the Planning, Environment and Local Government Bar Association (PELGBA), please visit www.pelgba.ie.
Accessibility Requirements: At the Bar of Ireland we wish for our events to be as welcoming, accessible and inclusive for all. Please provide us if comfortable with any accessibility related considerations so that we can endeavour to ensure a barrier free experience during the event. Email events@lawlibrary.ie to discuss your needs.
Tickets
Additional Information
The Planning, Environmental, and Local Government Bar Association of Ireland (PELGBA) is a specialist association for practising Barristers who practice in or have an interest in Planning, Environmental and Local Government Law in Ireland.
PELGBA was launched in July 2018 in an event attended by The Hon. Mr. Justice Frank Clarke, Chief Justice of Ireland and the Attorney General, Mr. Seamus Wolfe SC, and also Mr. Eoghan Murphy T.D., Minister for Housing, Planning & Local Government.
PELGBA seeks to advance the state of knowledge of the law in the areas of Planning, Environmental and Local Government Law and act as a forum for practising in this area. PELGBA aims to provide specialist education to its members through legal updates, morning and after court seminars, and an annual conference on topics related to Planning, Environmental and Local Government Law.
To date, PELGBA has held seminars on topics such as planning enforcement, mediation, housing law, as well as regular updates on developments in at domestic and EU case law and a conference on strategic housing.
PELGBA also promotes the Bar as a specialist provider of advocacy and legal advice in the area of Planning, Environmental and Local Government Law. In this role, it liaises with The Council of The Bar of Ireland and other relevant parties on issues of interest to its members.