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An updated code of practice concerning the care, treatment, and rights of individuals with mental disorders in Northern Ireland has gone out for consultation. The Department of Health yesterday launched a 12-week consultation on the draft revised code of practice to the Mental Health (Northern Irela

A new book by the Council of Europe's commissioner for human rights, Michael O'Flaherty, has been described as an "urgent wake-up call" for European leaders to act on Roma and Traveller rights. The Unheard 12 Million has been published by the Council of Europe today and will be accompanied by a phot

The Law Society of Northern Ireland is to hold a special general meeting following a backlash from members over plans to lower the standard of proof applied by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal for Northern Ireland. The tribunal currently applies the criminal standard of proof, meaning that alleg

A record sum of nearly £120 million was paid out in legal aid to solicitors and barristers in Northern Ireland in 2024/25, according to the latest official figures. The statistical bulletin published by the Legal Services Agency (LSA) yesterday covers both criminal and civil cases and provides

Irish solicitor Liam Moloney has been elected as president of the Pan European Organisation of Personal Injury Lawyers (PEOPIL). Mr Moloney, managing partner of Dublin firm Moloney Solicitors, was elected to serve a three-year term at PEOPIL's annual conference in Brussels last week.

Ministers have agreed to progress primary legislation to increase the passenger cap at Dublin Airport, the subject of Irish and EU litigation in recent years. A planning condition imposed by An Bord Pleanála when it granted permission for the construction of the second terminal in 2007 requir

The Irish Refugee Council has condemned a government initiative offering asylum seekers more money to leave Ireland as "unethical and inappropriate". People who have no legal status in Ireland, or whose application for international protection has been either withdrawn or refused, can access "reinte

A local authority in Poland has been rebuked for exceeding its legal authority by declaring Jesus Christ as its king.

A rare cross-party motion on the Global Sumud Flotilla is to be debated in the Dáil this afternoon as activists near Gaza in their bid to break the Israeli blockade and bring humanitarian aid to starving Palestinians. The joint motion, tabled on behalf of all members of the Dáil, is cu

A senior judge and leading human rights lawyers and academics will address the Law Society of Ireland human rights and equality committee's annual conference in November. The free event at Blackhall Place on Friday 28 November will hear from speakers including Mr Justice Gerard Hogan, the Supreme Co

The Irish legal sector is entering a "decade of consolidation", according to the managing partner of Byrne Wallace Shields, the firm created this year through the merger of ByrneWallace and LK Shields. Byrne Wallace Shields now employs 430 staff, including 220 solicitors, following what is believed

Northern Ireland firm Millar McCall Wylie (MMW) has welcomed newly-qualified solicitors Emma Ewing, Josh Graham, James McClean, Eimhear Bell, Tara Murphy and Tiernan Canavan. Ms Ewing has joined the corporate team, Mr Graham has joined the employment team, Mr McClean and Ms Bell have joined the resi

Regulatory changes which will increase the home and business lending capacity of credit unions by €6.6 billion have come into effect. The "targeted but significant changes" to the credit union lending framework announced by the Central Bank of Ireland in August take effect from today.

The Bar of Ireland has welcomed 95 new members to the Law Library.

Judge Suzanne Kingston has been elected as president of one of the 10 chambers of the General Court of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU). The Irish judge, who has sat on the EU bench since 2021, now presides over the Ninth Chamber, which comprises judges Maria José Costeira, T