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An Bord Pleanála could be replaced with the new An Coimisiún Pleanála as early as next month, the government has said. A new implementation plan for the Planning and Development Act 2024 says the relevant part of the legislation will be commenced in "early Quarter 2".

The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland has been formally established with effect from today. Paul Quinn has been appointed as chair of the new independent authority alongside six members, Celine Craig, Marion Kelly, Rita Purcell, David Hickson, Michael McGrath and Dr Colin O'Driscoll.

A would-be Ferrari owner wrecked a €440,000 supercar on a test drive while attempting to take it onto Germany's famously high-speed Autobahn. The 44-year-old DJ from Bielefeld was trying out the SF90 Stradale — Ferrari's first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) — with its owner

Around €45 million in District Court fines issued since 2020 has not yet been paid to the State, according to newly-released figures. The 133,851 fines issued since 2020 which have not yet been fully paid were disclosed in response to a freedom of information request by Ireland South MEP and fo

The percentage of law firms offering pro bono services for immigration, refugee and asylum matters has risen by 57 per cent in the past decade, according to a new report. The launch of Thomson Reuters Foundations’ 2024 Index of Pro Bono this month marked the 10th anniversary of the survey.

Legislation is to be brought forward to give effect to the Supreme Court decision extending access to the widow's, widower's and surviving civil partner's contributory pension to unmarried couples. The court ruled just over a year ago in John O'Meara & Ors v The Minister for Social Protection, I

The Northern Ireland Executive has published its finalised programme for government for 2024 to 2027. The 98-page document includes a commitment to exploring the expansion of out-of-court disposals, including community resolution notices, in order to speed up cases and help to "reduce pressure on th

Queen's University Belfast law student Lee Curran has been named as the 2025 Lord Kerr Bar Scholar. Established in memory of the late Lord Kerr of Tonaghmore, an alumnus of the university and former lord chief justice of Northern Ireland, the scholarship supports aspiring barristers in their pursuit

The American Bar Association (ABA) has accused the Trump administration of undermining the courts and the legal profession by attacking and intimidating judges, lawyers and firms. In a blistering statement issued yesterday, the ABA said there was a "clear and disconcerting pattern" of "escalating go

Maples and Calder (Ireland) LLP, the Maples Group's law firm in Ireland, has welcomed a new partner, three of counsel and 14 associates.  Funds and investment management lawyer Richard O'Donoghue has been promoted to partner, while finance lawyers Una Killeen and Rory Beasley and funds and inve

Police have arrested a 40-year-old man for allegedly smuggling several bags of cocaine under his toupée. The "narco wig" was discovered by police at Rafael Núñez International Airport in Colombia last week, according to CBS News.

Gibson Dunn, one of the highest-paying law firms in the UK, has suggested Gen Z lawyers require more "hand-holding" as junior employees across the industry push back against long hours and criticism. The firm’s London office is looking for a professional support lawyer to provide targeted trai

A painting of the Ten Commandments featuring the decree “Thou shalt not steal” has been stolen from a church in England. Thieves made off with the Victorian mural from St Andrew’s church in Little Steeping, Lincolnshire, last week.

Employee reward and recognition was the hot topic at a free business advice event delivered by solicitors Millar McCall Wylie and advisory firm BDO Northern Ireland at Custom House Belfast recently. With input from experienced employment lawyer David Mitchell, corporate lawyer Abbie Long and BDO tax

Draft legislation to amend Ireland’s “triple lock” on deploying Defence Forces peacekeepers overseas will be brought to Cabinet this week, Tánaiste Simon Harris has confirmed. The triple lock requires that any deployment of more than 12 Irish troops on overseas peacekeeping