News

The introduction of pro bono costs orders in Northern Ireland has been identified as a priority area in a new plan for modernisation of the civil and family justice system. Justice Minister Naomi Long today published a delivery plan which sets out actions to be taken over the remainder of the curren

The Law Society of Northern Ireland has announced the appointment of Alison Grundle to a new role as head of member services. A number of new senior roles have been created by the Law Society in an effort to improve services for solicitors in Northern Ireland, according to the latest edition of The

The first prison inspection reports published since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic have warned of a "sense of complacency" in the prison service, with increased restrictions at risk of becoming "the new norm". The Office of the Inspector of Prisons yesterday published four thematic inspection re

Maynooth University Department of Law has announced the appointment of Dr Joe Garrihy as an assistant professor in criminology. Dr Garrihy previously held lectureships at Birmingham City University and the University of Winchester in the UK and at Maynooth.

A finding that the so-called "six-month rule" for terminally ill people accessing certain benefits is unlawful has been overturned by the Court of Appeal. The High Court ruled last summer that the requirement for terminally ill claimants to demonstrate that their death can reasonably be expected wit

Van Morrison has withdrawn his application for a judicial review of the "blanket ban" on live music in Northern Ireland venues during the Covid-19 pandemic. The singer-songwriter launched his legal action in January, arguing that Regulation 5 of The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regu

Further investigations should take place to assess whether lawyers involved in a recent Post Office case in the High Court may have committed professional misconduct in their handling of that case, researchers have said. The Post Office has been robustly criticised for the handling of criminal and c

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has reported a 20 per cent drop in personal data breach reports, from 11,854 in the 2019/20 financial year, down to 9,532 in the most recent financial year. These figures were published in the ICO’s annual report and analysed by the Parliament S

A dispute between neighbours over an apple tree that allegedly attracts wasps has incurred at least £200,000 in legal costs. Barbara Pilcher, who is allergic to wasps, took her neighbour Antoinette Williams to court over her alleged failure to dispose of rotting apples falling from the tree.

Global law firm DLA Piper has announced a move to new premises at 40 Molesworth Street, Dublin 2, to accommodate its growing headcount. The firm, which currently employs more than 75 people, has committed to a lease until 2037 and will move this autumn as workers return to the office.

Employment law specialist firm Lewis Silkin LLP has expanded into Northern Ireland through a partnership with Belfast-based Jones Cassidy Brett (JCB). The six-strong JCB team has been integrated into Lewis Silkin, with JCB partners Adam Brett and Ciara Fulton becoming partners of Lewis Silkin NI LLP

Matheson, Ireland's largest law firm, has announced the appointment of Niamh Counihan as its first pro bono partner. Ms Counihan will dedicate 50 per cent of her professional time to pro bono legal activities, while the other 50 per cent will continue to be dedicated to her responsibilities as Mathe

The president of the Association of Judges of Ireland (AJI) has backed Ms Justice Mary Irvine's call for the appointment of 17 more High Court judges to deal with the Covid-19 backlog. Mr Justice David Barniville told The Sunday Times that "there aren’t really enough hours in the day for a lot

The government has claimed it has not yet seen any evidence that cuts in barristers' pay are linked to recruitment and retention issues. Public expenditure and reform minister Michael McGrath said his department has "sought evidence to support any claims that the reductions imposed are linked to sig

BHSM has announced the appointment of Rachel Nangle as a solicitor in the firm's commercial real estate department. A graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT), Ms Nangle qualified as a solicitor in December 2020.