Barrister criticises legalese

The English used in the recent Finance Act was criticised yesterday at the launch of the 3rd edition of Murdoch's Dictionary of Irish Law. Barrister Mr Henry Murdoch said the sentences in the Act seemed to have no ending as the drafters "endeavour to cover off every possible escape route for the loophole searcher".

Mr Murdoch also criticised the stock exchange for not producing more easily read listing rules.

He called for a simplification and greater codification of the law. Access to an understanding of the law was a fundamental human right, he said.