News

An Oireachtas committee has launched a call for submissions on proposed legislation to abolish the wards of court system for adults. The joint committee on children, equality, disability, integration and youth is seeking views on the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2021, which w

UN talks on lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS) – or "killer robots" – have failed to reach agreement on banning them in warfare. The sixth review conference of the UN Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW), taking place over five days in Geneva, could not reach an ag

A soldier who accepted a marriage proposal while on duty has been arrested. The Nigerian woman, who has not been named, broke the military's code of conduct by "indulging in romance while in uniform", the BBC reports.

The High Court has quashed a decision of the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) after it failed to give reasons for refusing to give the case an oral hearing under section 43(b) of the International Protection Act 2015. The IPAT decided that the applicant was not entitled to refugee st

The 4,000 people accused and executed for witchcraft in Scotland are to receive a posthumous pardon after the Scottish government lent its support to the move. Claire Mitchell QC leads Witches of Scotland, which has campaigned for a pardon, a government apology and an official monument for the victi

The Law Society of Northern Ireland is preparing to celebrate its centenary next year on an optimistic note, new president Brigid Napier has said. Writing in the latest edition of The Writ, published last week, Ms Napier said she is "mindful of the continuing pressures that face the Society" but tha

Staff at JMK Solicitors and CRASH Services have donated over £55,000 this December to their 2021 charity partner, Cancer Fund for Children.

Law firm closures due to failures to obtain insurance have risen sixfold in five years, according to a new report. Researchers said 65 law firms in England and Wales shut shop in the year to September 2020 – as compared with 11 in 2016-17.

Legislation establishing a new planning regime for the maritime area has passed through all stages of the Oireachtas. The government has said the Maritime Area Planning Bill 2021 represents the biggest reform of marine governance since the foundation of the State, with a legal and administrative fra

Northern Ireland corporate and commercial law firm Mills Selig has announced the promotion of Darren Marley to partner at the firm. Mr Marley joined the corporate team as a senior associate in 2019 and has been promoted to partner in recognition of his "outstanding transactional work, client service

The government has admitted that the inquiry into mother and baby homes breached its statutory duty by failing to provide a draft copy of its report to the victims and survivors who gave evidence to it. The admission forms part of a settlement in eight judicial review cases which were launched in re

A man who was hanged for murder in Cork Prison in 1895 has been pardoned almost 127 years later.

Asylum seekers are now able to apply for driving licenses and learner permits in Ireland following a High Court ruling last month. In his judgment, Mr Justice Mark Heslin said international protection applicants should be considered "lawfully resident" in the State for the purposes of the Road Traff

A new sculpture inspired by the life of activist Máirín de Burca has been installed in the King's Inns. "The Left Arm of Commerce" is the result of Dublin City Council Culture Company's inaugural creative residency in partnership with the King's Inns, which began in September 2019.

A man who lifted his sleeping ex-girlfriend's eyelids to unlock her phone with facial recognition and steal her money has been jailed. The Chinese man, only identified by his surname Huang, met his ex-girlfriend on the false pretence that they would discuss his repayment of debts from their relation