News

So-called SLAPPs are being used in the UK to silence and intimidate people who expose or criticise the actions of authoritarian regimes including Russia and China, MPs have said. A new report published by Westminster's joint committee on human rights has called for stronger action to stop the growth

The Charities Regulator recorded a 14 per cent drop in concerns raised about registered Irish charities last year, according to its latest annual report. The regulator received 493 concerns in 2024, down from 574 in 2023, with governance issues accounting for the largest proportion of concerns raise

A local authority in England has voted to recognise the personhood rights of the River Test. Test Valley Borough Council now recognises rivers as vital, living ecosystems deserving of legal rights and stronger protection from pollution, development, over-abstraction, and habitat degradation.

A civil action brought in the High Court in connection with the 2005 murder of Irene White is set to continue despite the death of the original plaintiff. Belfast firm KRW LAW is acting for the widower of the late Anne Delcassian, who campaigned for years to bring those responsible for her late sist

Proposals to exempt small-scale development projects from requiring planning permission have been put out for consultation. Revised rules would relax requirements around the subdivision of existing dwellings and the creation of habitable accommodation within the boundary of a primary dwelling, as we

The Law Society of Northern Ireland has met with the justice minister, Naomi Long, as part of its campaign on solicitors' safety and is set to meet with the PSNI's chief constable tomorrow. Monday's meeting with Mrs Long was attended by the Law Society's president, Colin Mitchell, and chief executiv

Warrenpoint-based Rosemary Connolly Solicitors has welcomed Kelly Armstrong as a solicitor in its growing practice. Ms Armstrong has extensive experience in civil litigation and brings a wealth of knowledge and a strong track record in personal injury litigation, medical negligence and civil injunct

Fourteen substances including hexahydrocannabinol (HHC), which has similar effects to cannabis, have been banned in Ireland. HHC, which has been linked to episodes of psychosis and hospitalisation, has been categorised as a Schedule 1 controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977, criminalising

Revenue has published new guidance on the VAT treatment of social media influencers in Ireland. There are "no special VAT rules for influencers", whose activity remains "subject to the ordinary VAT rules", the 15-page document states.

A new profession of conveyancer should be introduced as a matter of priority to lower costs in the homebuying process, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has said.

O’Flynn Exhams LLP has welcomed Colm Manning back to the firm as a corporate/M&A and commercial partner. Mr Manning rejoins the Cork-based firm, having previously worked for it in 2014.

The UK's strict new age verification rules can be bypassed using popular video games, Internet users have found. Thousands of websites and online platforms now require users based in the UK to verify their age before accessing adult content, following the commencement of key provisions in the Online

A military tribunal in Lebanon has imposed a death sentence on a man — who remains at large — in connection with the 2022 murder of Irish peacekeeper Seán Rooney. Mohammad Ayyad was the main defendant in the proceedings, though a number of other men have also been convicted and re

Prison authorities in Northern Ireland are set to review the pre-release testing process amid concerns that the system is abused by some prisoners. Under the pre-release testing process, prisoners are initially tested under the supervision of prison staff, progressing to periods of unaccompanied rel

Sunbeds could be banned outright in the State under plans currently out for consultation. Legislation introduced in 2014 has already restricted access to commercial sunbeds to over-18s, and the government is now consulting on the introduction of a total ban on commercial sunbed use.