Legal Section

The Legal Section

• The Legal Section at Crime Legal has National responsibility for the provision of legal advices and guidance on Operational matters to An Garda Síochána.
• Advices are provided to the Garda Executive, Senior Leadership Team and Operational personnel on a myriad of issues ranging from policy development through to Legislative enforcement as well as decisions of the superior Courts.
• The Section provides critical legal advices and support to Investigators across the Jurisdiction on all types of suspected offences.
• Legal Section provides service level point of contact with the Office of the Office of Director of Public Prosecutions, the Chief State Solicitor’s Office and the Office of the Attorney General.  This provides for a bilateral sharing of information and facilitates the early resolution of emerging issues.
• On behalf of the Garda Commissioner, Legal section liaises with Government Departments in the development of new Legislation and reviews and makes submissions on all heads of bills for draft legislation impacting on Criminal Justice and Policing. 
• The Section scans, monitors and assesses developments within the legal environment that impact on Operational policing and prepares HQ Directives for dissemination nationally.
• Through a process of engagement and consultation with relevant stakeholders, (Internal and External) Legal Section is central to the development of policy and procedures within An Garda Síochána that promote compliance with enabling laws and Legislation.
• The Legal section has played a crucial role in supporting the operational front line members of An Garda Síochána by preparing advices and guidance on the emergency Regulations and Legislation during the Covid-19 crisis.