Cuttings relating to case.
Relates to case of Bernadette Harvey, a widow, who lost her pension as a blind person when she became eligible for the old age pension at 66, as they were deemed to be the same thing except that former pension was payable earlier. Significance of case is reflected in the fact that it required an amendment to be introduced in the Social Welfare Act 1989. Judgement in the Supreme Court was given 10/05/1989, and costs were awarded on 06/07/1989 for both High and Supreme Court hearings.
Mary Robinson worked as Senior Counsel, and material is arranged across two files.
Material in this file consists of correspondence between Mary Robinson (MR), Senior Counsel, Gerard Durcan, Junior Counsel, and Kevin P Kilrane, solicitor for Bernadette Harvey (17/09/1986-13/01/1992) some of which includes photocopies of correspondence between Harvey and the Department of Social Welfare (31/07/1985-28/07/1986), memorandum from Gerry Whyte to MR suggesting two arguments in relation to case, 01/10/1986, Durcan's legal opinion on case 06/10/1986, and draft Statement, Affidavit and Notice of Motion (04/12/1986).
Material in this file consists of legal documents, case notes and cutting (09/04/1987). Case documents include High Court Judicial Review between Bernadette Harvey, Applicant, and The Minister for Social Welfare and The Attorney General; Respondents material such as Affidavit of Harvey (06/01/1987) attached to copies of correspondence between her and Department of Social Welfare (31/7/1985-07/02/1986), Statement 06/01/1987, Statement of Opposition and Affidavit to verify Statement of Respondents (12/03/1987); 2 copies of Book of Appeal to Supreme Court with cover letter from Kilrane to Mary Robinson (MR), Senior Counsel, 08/07/1988; Brief for Counsel with cover letter from Kilrane to MR, 07/12/1988; Second Brief for Counsel with material in slightly different order and including and excluding one or two documents; folder of photocopied correspondence between Harvey and Department of Social Welfare, including initial letter from Kilrane to Department (31/07/1985-07/02/1986); draft appeal with notation.
This case relates to unequal application of unemployment and pay-related benefit to married women in comparison with married/single men and single women. Tricia Lang was paid unemployment benefit and pay-related benefit for 312 days from date of initial payment, rather than 390 days which was applicable in case of married/single men and single women, she received a lower rate of payment of unemployment benefit than applicable for married/single men and single women and was only entitled to receive Unemployment Assistance on a more restrictive and discriminatory basis.
Case was adjourned, April 1990, on basis of offer of £500 to Tricia Lang and her husband in settlement of part of claim relating to unemployment assistance and ceiling on married couples, and adjournment of remainder of case and question of legal costs pending outcome of decisions in Cotter & McDermott and Emmott (P143/1/2/34). Final outcome of case unknown. See also P143/1/2/37.
Mary Robinson worked as Senior Counsel, and material is arranged across 2 files.
This file consists of correspondence, 03/04/1987-06/10/1993, between Mary Robinson, Senior Counsel, and Madeleine Reid and Aidan Reid of Gallagher Shatter solicitors including in relation to the adjournment of case by consent and to fees.
This file consists of case legal documents and handwritten case notes including copy of High Court Judicial Review between Patricia Lang and Robert Lang, Applicants and The Minister for Social Welfare and The Attorney General Respondence, before Mr. Justice Blayney, 16/03/1987; draft statement [1987?]; draft Affidavit of Tricia Lang [1987?]; draft Notice of Motion [1987?]; draft Affidavit of Sally Keogh, expert witness in relation to various provisions of Social Welfare Acts [1987?]; copy of Statement of Opposition [1987?]; copy Affidavit of Eoin O'Broin, Assistant Principal of Department of Social Welfare [1987?].
Case relates to retrospective claims following ruling in European Court of Justice in 1988. Ann Carberry claimed she was entitled to receive transitional payments given by the Irish Government after the European Community equality directive on social welfare treatment was implemented in 1986. Case was settled in 1991 but outcome unknown.
Mary Robinson worked as Senior Counsel (SC) on this case. However, once she was inaugurated as President of Ireland on 4th December 1990, it is unlikely she continued as SC. Material is arranged across 2 files.
This file consists of correspondence between Mary Robinson and Adam Taylor of Taylor & Buchalter, solicitors including in relation to fees, 03/11/1987-21/09/1992; cutting and photocopy of cutting 29/04/1989.
This file consists of case legal documents and handwritten case notes including copy of Affidavit of Ann Carberry, 11/12/1987; copy of Statement Grounding Application for Judicial Review, 11/12/1987; copy of Notice, 07/03/1988; copy of affidavit of Eoin O'Broin, Assistant Principal of Department of Social Welfare, 07/03/1988; photocopy of Notice of Motion 22/01/1988; draft order, 28/04/1989.