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FLAC ANNUAL REPORT 2009 The study confirmed the existing anecdotal evidence that debtors very often do not attend hearings designed to determine their capacity to pay debts by instalments, mainly because such hearings are in open court. A lack of understanding of the legal processes and documentation was also a prominent factor. For those who accessed money advice or legal advice early, the outcome was more positive but there was evidence of services being accessed far too late in the process. For those who did summon up the courage to attend court hearings, there was little in the way of assistance provide by the State to present their case. Like the last report on this issue entitled An End based on Means (2003), this study closes with detailed recommendations for reform.
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Speaking at the launch of ‘To No One's Credit’...
Colin Daly, solicitor with Northside Community Law Centre, who represented Caroline McCann in her case around imprisonment for debt which she won in June 2009.
Patricia Rickard Clark, full-time Commissioner with the Law Reform Commission.
Anne Marie O'Connor, Business Manager with MABSndl.
lLiam Herrick, Director of the Irish Penal Reform Trust.
At the launch of FLAC's report, To No One's Credit (L-R): Paul Joyce, Mary Coughlan, Noeline Blackwell. lLiam Herrick, Director of the Irish Penal Reform Trust.