Our People

• University College Dublin (BCL)
• London School of Economics/Kings College London (LLM)
• College of Law London (PGdipLP)

• Business member CIF

Rory is a Partner and is Head of Construction Law and Engineering Department at Mason Hayes & Curran. Rory has extensive experience in contentious and non-contentious construction issues. He advises and represents contractors, developers, engineers, and other construction professionals on all aspects of construction contracts, including RIAI, GDLA, IEI and bespoke forms. Rory has extensive experience of drafting, negotiating and advising on construction documentation. In handling and advising on contentious matters, Rory places a particular emphasis on dispute avoidance and management. Where early resolution of differences has not been possible, Rory has acted for a broad range of construction interests in conciliation, adjudication, arbitration and court proceedings in both advancing and defending claims.

Prior to joining Mason Hayes & Curran, Rory worked for four years with one of the leading international construction law practices and has a particular knowledge of international construction matters. Rory is qualified to advise on both Irish and English law and has specific experience of the FIDIC, JCT and ICE forms of contract.

Areas of Expertise:

• Construction and Engineering
• Public Procurement
• Litigation / Arbitration / Conciliation
• Shipping

Representative Matters:

• Acting for international consortium in multi-million euro arbitration under FIDIC Orange Book
• Advising international consortium members in relation to contract issues on €50 million waste water treatment plant
• Advising international consortium member in relation to sub-contract claims on tunnelling project
• Representing employer in disputes with contractor and design team on €10 million office development
• Advising international bid consortium member on challenge to award of €300 million road contract under EU Remedies Directive
• Advising bid consortium on procurement issues under EU Works Directive in relation to waste water treatment plant
• Representing a number of leading multinationals on procurement of works including office and retail fit-out, warehouse, and specialist engineering works
• Representing contractor in disputes relating to city centre retail and residential development
• Advising developer of 400 acre residential scheme on procurement of infrastructure and negotiation with local authority
• Representing contractor on disputes relating to upgrade / refit of listed Georgian dwelling
• Advising international contractor in relation to bond call on power station in Bahamas
• Acting for promoters on a number of wind farm developments
• In addition Rory has a strong background in shipping and maritime law, having trained and worked with one of London's most prestigious shipping law firms where he acted on behalf of underwriting interests in 'Ikarian Reefer', on behalf of owners in a US$70 million total loss, was involved in leading charterparty cases such as 'Houda', and a number of large FPSO disputes. Rory has recently acted in relation to disputes surrounding the ownership of the ‘Christina O’.
• Rory has also successfully litigated defamation proceedings to the Court of Appeal in England.

Recommendations:

Chambers Europe - Europe's Leading Business Lawyers, Chambers and Partners, 2011.
Rory is recommended as a leader in his field in the ‘Construction’ category. ‘Practice head Rory Kirrane is a highly regarded construction specialist who covers the full range of contentious and non-contentious matters. Clients praise him as "highly knowledgeable in construction law, so he can cut to the key issues and protect the client's interests - he is a real asset to the firm".’

Chambers Europe - Europe's Leading Business Lawyers, Chambers and Partners, 2010.
Rory is recommended as a leader in his field in the ‘construction’ category. ‘Many recommendations for MH & C’s construction practice revolve around Rory Kirrane, who leads the construction department.  He handles both contentious and non-contentious work in the sector and happy clients call him an “extremely intelligent, practical and accessible lawyer.” On contentious matters, clients feel that “he really takes a personal interest in the case, and as soon as you meet him you know you are in safe hands.”

Chambers Europe - Europe's Leading Business Lawyers, Chambers and Partners, 2009.
Rory is recommended as a leader in his field in the ‘construction’ category. “Rory is considered sharp, accommodating and responsive”.

Legal 500 – 2011.
Rory Kirrane is highly recommended in the field of ‘Construction’.  “Mason Hayes & Curran, headed up by the ‘responsive’ Rory Kirrane, has a solid contentious and non-contentious offering.”

Legal 500 – 2010.
Rory Kirrane is highly recommended in the field of ‘Construction’, with Mason Hayes & Curran boasting “a good balance between contentious and non-contentious cases under the leadership of the ‘knowledgeable and accessible’ Rory Kirrane”. Rory is also recommended in the area of ‘Maritime & Shipping’ for advice to lenders, ship operators and cargo companies on ship finance and corporate matters.  He is also recommended in the field of ‘Planning & Environment’ as a ‘practical advice giver’. The firm recently advised the IDA Ireland on contracts for the removal of asbestos contaminated waste from an IDA site.

Legal 500 – Construction, 2009.
At Mason Hayes & Curran, “Rory Kirrane is commended as a breath of fresh air’” for his “service-orientated approach”.

Which Lawyer? Practical Law Company, 2010.
Rory is recommended as a lawyer in the area of ‘Construction’.

Which Lawyer? Practical Law Company, 2009.
Rory is recommended as a lawyer in the area of ‘Construction’. Rory is recognised for “his capabilities which span both disputes and contractual matters”.