Pocket-sized jurisdictions are typically better at keeping their framework up to speed with the pace of change in the financial services industry, and Ireland is no exception. Despite looming economic woes, the country’s finance lawyers are upbeat about their prospects. Derek Bedlow reports from Dublin

Ireland’s ascent from economic basket-case to European role model has been little short of miraculous, as it has transformed its economy from one of Europe’s poorest to one of its richest in little more than two decades.