Editorial

• Date: 01 January 2020
• Author: Riccardo Savona Siemens

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Editorial

As yet another Volume of the Hibernian Law Journal is published, the time is apt

to reect upon the events that have shaped the Journal’s path over the course of the

past year.

From its inception to present day, the Journal has maintained a steadfast tradition

of providing a forum for legal discussion and for the integration between the

study and practice of the law through a multidisciplinary approach. is objective

has been pursued by increasing awareness and knowledge of the law among both

practising and academic lawyers while also fostering increased scholarship by all

members of the legal community. Whilst attentive to the issues and developments

within the Irish legal landscape, the Journal has always maintained an eye

further aeld. It has shown, time and again, a remarkable capacity to draw upon

developments in other jurisdictions in order to inspire and enrich the legal debate

in Ireland. As I look through previous volumes of the Journal, it is clear that each of

these principles have guided and shaped the work of my predecessors and Editorial

Committees over the years. It is natural therefore that the Journal’s path this year

would be guided by the same principles.

e multidisciplinary approach is evident in the scholarship contained in this

Volume 19 of the Journal. Some of the articles and case notes contained in this

Volume capture the dynamic impact of technological developments (articial

intelligence, ‘big data’, social media platforms to name a few) in rapidly evolving

areas as diverse as copyright law, defamation law and medical law. Other

contributions featured in this Volume (re)visit recurring legal issues and areas

with underlying tensions in the realms of constitutional law, employment law and

criminal law. Each contribution, in its own way, demonstrates the multifacetedness

of the law, its ability (or diculty, as the case may be) to evolve with and respond

to the issues of society. is Volume also looks at that gap between lawyers ‘in

practice’ and the study of the law, with the aim of inspiring legal debate across the

legal community by featuring contributions by academics, our colleagues at the Bar,

practicing solicitors and trainee solicitors (including future trainee solicitors). All

have greatly contributed to enrich the legal debate in their respective areas.

e multidisciplinary approach is also evident in the Journal’s other academic

activities. is approach, combined with the Journal’s natural ability to provide a

platform for legal analysis and discussion, has allowed the Journal to complement its

work with lectures and events. anks to the indefatigable work of my predecessors

and previous Editorial Committees, the Annual Lecture and, more recently, the

Hibernian Law Medal event have become staples in Irish legal scholarship and

have attracted exceptional speakers over the years. Cognisant of this tradition,