RIAI/McCann FitzGerald CPD Series 2025: Navigating Legal Responsibilities in Architectural Practice

A new six-part CPD series designed for architects seeking to strengthen their legal literacy and manage professional risk with confidence. Developed in partnership with McCann FitzGerald, each session is led by expert legal practitioners with deep insight into the legal landscape of architectural practice.

Course Aim

This CPD series aims to equip architects with legal and practical insights into their responsibilities, with a focus on planning, procurement, contract administration, and liability. Delivered by leading legal experts from McCann FitzGerald, the sessions are designed to support risk-aware, informed architectural practice.

Dates

• Session 1 'Advice on the type of contract/procurement topic modifying existing contracts', Monday, 19 May 
• Session 2 'The Planning and Development Act 2024', Monday, 26 May 
• Session 3 'Contract Administration – Obligations and Duties', Monday, 9 June 
• Session 4 'Responsibility for Design – Specialist Design, Delegation, Continuing Obligations', Monday, 16 June 
• Session 5 'Fit for Purpose vs. Reasonable Skill and Care', Monday, 23 June 
• Session 6 'Liability Periods and Caps on Liability for Architects & Collateral Warranties', Monday, 30 June 

Speakers

Stephen Proctor, Partner at McCann FitzGerald, Session 1 and 4

Stephen specialises in construction law and acts for both public and private sector clients. He has advised on many of the most significant construction and engineering projects undertaken in Ireland over the last ten years. Stephen is experienced in the construction, operation and maintenance of large-scale projects in areas such as agri-food and drink, data centres, transport, life science, water and energy. He also advises on contentious matters, representing clients in mediation, conciliation, adjudication, arbitration and court.

Sinead Martyn, Partner at McCann FitzGerald, Session 2

Sinéad advises clients on a wide spectrum of environmental and planning law issues. She has particular experience advising clients on complex infrastructure projects from project inception; providing support at navigating an evolving consenting framework, right through to advising on post-consent judicial review challenges. She is an experienced litigator; advising clients on judicial reviews in the Superior Courts, as well as acting in the defence of environmental and planning criminal prosecutions at District Court level. Sinéad is the Chairperson of the Irish Environmental Law Association. She lectures on environmental and planning issues regularly, including to the Law Society and Trinity College Dublin.

Sean Carr, Partner at McCann FitzGerald, Session 3

Sean advises employers (both private and public sector), contractors and designers throughout numerous residential and commercial and state infrastructure developments. He advises on all aspects of construction contracts prior to and during the course of construction and on disputes especially on Alternative Dispute Resolution methods (arbitration, adjudication, mediation and conciliation). Sean also advises foreign direct investor clients in complex development funding arrangements for residential and commercial developments.

Jamie McGee, Partner at McCann FitzGerald, Session 5

Jamie is a Partner in the Construction Group. His work involves a mix of dispute and transactional matters, including residential, commercial and industrial development, infrastructure, offshore gas facilities decommissioning, social housing, hotels, offices, pharma, energy and process facilities). He advises developers, contractors, lenders, purchasers, tenants and consultants. Jamie joined the Construction Group in July 2014, having worked in the construction industry prior to qualifying as a solicitor. In addition to the standard Irish contracts, Jamie has worked with contract forms such as JCT, FIDIC, LOGIC and NEC. He also practices in the area of health and safety law. He was elected to the Health and Safety Lawyers Association of Ireland Committee in 2017. Jamie lectures on Trinity College’s Diploma in Construction Law and the Law Society’s diploma in Construction Law.

Barrett Chapman, Partner at McCann FitzGerald, Session 6  

Barrett is a partner in the Construction Group of McCann FitzGerald LLP and advises all stakeholders (developers (public and private), contractors, consultants, funders, forward purchasers, forward funders, professional indemnity insurers and bondsmen) on a wide variety of construction related issues included negotiation of contracts and resolution of disputes. 

Further details can be seen in the programme below.