The Supreme Court has dismissed a mother’s appeal against the refusal by the minister for foreign affairs to grant an Irish passport to her child born in Ireland in 2019. Delivering judgment for the Supreme Court, Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly determined that while the appellant’s mother &l
Appointments
See all articlesCork-based Orbitus Law LLP has promoted Paula O'Halloran to head of commercial property. Ms O'Halloran, who joined the firm seven years ago, succeeds outgoing department head and managing partner Jennifer Downing.
Holmes has appointed solicitor Geoffrey Fung to head the firm's Chinese business unit. Mr Fung, who joined the firm last year, is qualified as a solicitor in Hong Kong, England and Wales, and Ireland.
Solicitor Ciarán Mulholland has been appointed to the criminal law committee of the International Bar Association (IBA). Mr Mulholland is the founder and principal solicitor of Dundalk-based MulhollandLAW, a boutique firm specialising in criminal and civil litigation.
Philip Lee partner Anna Hickey has been appointed to lead the M&A activities of the firm's climate finance team.
Arthur Cox lawyer Deirdre Cummins has been appointed as chairperson of the Pensions Council. The Pensions Council, An Chomhairle Pinsean, advises the minister for social protection on matters relating to policy on pensions.
DWF has announced seven promotions in Belfast, including a more senior role for construction partner David McNeice and a promotion to partnership for insurance lawyer Louise Trimble. Real estate lawyer Amanda Byrnes has been promoted to director and dispute resolution lawyer David Humphreys has been
Northern Ireland
See all articlesTwo Travellers who were "shooed" out of a council office when attempting to register the birth of their child have settled a race discrimination claim against Mid Ulster District Council for £15,000. Caroline Joyce and Noel Cawley were supported by the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland
A new advocacy service for victims of sexual and domestic abuse in Northern Ireland is to be launched later this year. ASSIST NI will provide an adult service for victims who are aged 18 and above, and a separate service for children and young people who are 17 years of age and below, who are engagi
DWF has announced seven promotions in Belfast, including a more senior role for construction partner David McNeice and a promotion to partnership for insurance lawyer Louise Trimble. Real estate lawyer Amanda Byrnes has been promoted to director and dispute resolution lawyer David Humphreys has been
The Northern Ireland Assembly has again voted in favour of a "progressive smoking ban" despite continued uncertainty over its compatibility with post-Brexit rules. MLAs yesterday passed a legislative consent motion backing Northern Ireland's inclusion in the UK government's Tobacco and Vapes Bill, w
A first-of-its-kind book on Youth Court practice in Northern Ireland has been launched by the Law Society of Northern Ireland. Authors Séamus McIlroy BL and John Mackell BL were joined by family, colleagues and members of the judiciary at an official launch event at Law Society House last wee
Universities
See all articlesThe UCD Law Review is now accepting submissions for its 25th volume. The student-run peer-reviewed legal journal welcomes contributions on a broad range of contemporary legal issues, in particular articles pertaining to Irish and European law, though articles relating to wider concepts of internatio
A new research report on the extent and impact of childhood trauma in Northern Ireland has been launched by justice minister Naomi Long. Researchers at Queen's University Belfast have carried out the first comprehensive assessment of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among Northern Ireland's adul
Ulster University students Conán McGowan and Níall McGrattan have triumphed in the 2025 Northern Ireland regional heat of the Client Consultation Competition. The Law Society of Northern Ireland hosted the contest, which focused on consumer contracts, at Law Society House in Belfast on
Former European Court of Human Rights president Dr Síofra O'Leary has joined UCD Sutherland School of Law as adjunct full professor. An alumna of the university, Dr O'Leary served as a judge of the Strasbourg court from 2015 until 2024.
Arthur Cox and Wind Energy Ireland have opened applications for the 2025 Niamh Burke Renewable Energy Bursary, with €10,000 on offer to students pursuing studies related to renewable energy. Awarded every year since 2020, the bursary was established in memory of former Arthur Cox partner and co
Interviews
See all articlesThe nature of the law means that major modifications to the status quo come rarely and after long consideration. But while the wheel turns slowly, it’s hard to stop once in motion. So, when October last year saw the introduction of new legal partnerships — which enable barristers a
Recent years have seen an impressive influx of significant international law firms to Ireland. They have arrived in the country to service multinational businesses attracted to the country by seamless access to the EU post-Brexit as well as the country’s growing reputation in areas such as tec

Barristers appearing in the most serious criminal cases in Northern Ireland are effectively being asked to do twice the work for half the pay they were getting two decades ago, the chairperson of the Bar of Northern Ireland has told Irish Legal News. Donal Lunny KC, who took up office in September,

It’s a long way — in every sense — from swimming in the sea off Australia’s fabled Bondi Beach to a dive into the dramatically more glacial waters off Sandycove, south-east of the city of Dublin. Dannie Hanna, a senior member of Taylor Wessing's corporate team, has however sh

ILN's Connor Beaton talks to Philippa Greer about how UNRWA is battling to preserve international humanitarian law in Gaza, where at least 42,800 Palestinians have now been killed in Israel's military response to the October 7 attack. Philippa Greer had already accepted the top job in UNRWA’s
