People
Catherine Allen
Catherine is a public and information law specialist, recognised as a leader in her field by the Legal 500 Directory. Catherine advises a range of regulators on their public law, judicial review and information law work. She is particularly well known for her work in the areas of investigations and fair procedures. She is a specialist in judicial review proceedings and regularly advises public bodies on their powers and duties, as well as acting for those seeking to challenge the decisions of public bodies.
Catherine heads MHC’s Professional Regulatory group, managing some of the team’s most complex investigations and presents cases before Fitness to Practise Committees.
Catherine has particular expertise in information law as it relates to public and third sector bodies, including advising on the FOI Act and the GDPR.
Specialties
- Public and Administrative Law
- Regulatory Law
- Professional Disciplinary Law
- Litigation
- Freedom of Information and Data Protection
German Practice:
In addition to her administrative and public law practice, Catherine Allen assists many German clients of Mason Hayes & Curran on a variety of legal issues. She works closely with other departments of the firm in this regard. She actively maintains links with German legal and commercial entities, and is an honorary member of the German Irish Lawyers and Business Association.
Representative Matters
- Advising numerous public and regulatory bodies in relation to their powers, functions and duties, including complex issues of statutory interpretation.
- Advising a number of professional regulatory/disciplinary bodies such as the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland and the Medical Council in relation to fitness to practise inquries.
- Advising private sector bodies in relation to the requirements of the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015.
Recommendations
Legal 500, 2018
Catherine Allen is praised by clients for being “dependable”.
Legal 500, 2017
Catherine is recommended for "HSE service arrangements’"
Speaking Engagements & Teaching
- Regular speaker at conferences and MHC events on Public & Administrative Law and FOI.
- Appearance on RTE 1 (Ireland's national TV broadcaster) Morning Edition - speaking about FOI (February 2013)
Areas of Expertise
Public, Regulatory and Investigations Charity Law & Not-for-Profit Dispute Resolution General Data Protection RegulationProfessional Memberships
Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers
German Irish Lawyers and Business Association (Honorary Member)
British German Jurists' Association
Education
University College Dublin, BCL European Legal Studies
University of Würzburg, Germany, LLM
Honorable Society of King's Inns, Advanced Diploma in White Collar, Corporate and Regulatory Crime
Honorable Society of King’s Inns, Advanced Diploma in Legislative Drafting