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The new maritime area consent (MAC) regime for renewable energy developments has come into effect, with the first consents expected to be issued to developers in the second half of 2022. The new regime enables the minister for the environment to issue MACs on an interim basis pending the establishme

A new strategic framework for youth justice in Northern Ireland has identified a consultation on increasing the age of criminal responsibility – currently just 10 years old – as a priority issue. The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) recommends that the age of criminal resp

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) has launched judicial review proceedings against the Data Protection Commission (DPC) over its alleged failure to protect people from the practice of "real-time bidding" for online advertising. In an affidavit filed with the High Court, plaintiff Dr Johnn

The personal injury discount rate in Northern Ireland has been set to -1.5 per cent following the first review under the new legislative framework established this year. The review, which has been welcomed by personal injury lawyers, was carried out by the government actuary under the methodology pr

Cork-based business law firm ReganWall has grown with the appointment of solicitor Deirdre Potenz to its corporate law team. Ms Potenz, who previously trained and practised in a top five Irish law firm, brings considerable experience and knowledge in advising both public and private sector clients o

The UK government's proposed repeal of the Human Rights Act would “wind the constitutional clock back to the 1990s” and is “particularly unwise” now because of the actions of Russia in Ukraine, experts have warned. Government plans to replace the legislation with a British Bi

A shoe store has has appealed to a bungling thief to "do the right thing" and return 20 stolen shoes – all of them for left feet only. A reward of $5,000 (around €4,500) has been offered by the Miami-based store for the return of the shoes, which are of dubious resale value without their

Our regular round-up of deals involving Irish law firms. Submit your deals to newsdesk@irishlegal.com. Arthur Cox LLP has advised the sponsor on the first privately developed interconnector project in Ireland.

The London Irish Lawyers Association (LILA) welcomed members and friends to a busy St Patrick's Day party last week.

The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission has called for "greater urgency and prioritisation" of Ireland's commitments to eliminating racism and racial discrimination in Ireland. The rights watchdog has marked the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination by publishing its

The Hibernian Law Journal has made another call for submissions for its 2022 case note competition ahead of the deadline on Saturday. Case notes of 2,000 to 4,000 words are sought by the Journal on any recent seminal judgment of the Irish courts, the EU courts or the European Court of Human Rights.

Taking away the rights of terrorists to automatic early release from prison threatens their human rights, new analysis argues. The UK government made emergency changes to sentencing law in England and Wales and in Scotland, including ending the automatic early release of terrorist offenders at the h

A law banning physical punishment of children comes into effect in Wales today, just over a year after a similar ban was introduced in Scotland. Parents, or those responsible for a child, may face criminal charges if they physically discipline a young person in any way. They could face a prison sent

A cyclist who reported a motorist to police for allegedly using his phone behind the wheel is facing a £1,000 fine for his trouble. Bristol cyclist Tom Bosanquet, 42, submitted footage from his headcam to an online portal for reporting road traffic offences after spotting a motorist with a pho

Developers in Northern Ireland will again be required to hold a public event as part of the pre-application process for major planning applications following the expiration of the temporary suspension. The requirement, which has been suspended since 1 May 2020, will be reinstated for proposed of app