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The UK government last year blocked the public release of 155 sets of Northern Ireland Office (NIO) documents dating from the Troubles, an investigation has found. The NIO told the Advisory Council on National Records and Archives (ACNRA) that it wanted to retain or close 155 sets of documents datin

A Canadian soldier has been court-martialled for allegedly serving cannabis-laced cupcakes to an artillery unit during a live-fire exercise. The unsuspecting troops who ate the cupcakes reported a sudden onset of dehydration, overheating, fatigue, confusion, dry mouth and paranoia.

The High Court has determined that the requirement for an applicant under the Gender Recognition Act 2004 to prove they are suffering from a medical “disorder” was incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights. The court held that a diagnosis of a disorder was an antiquated n

Personal injury cases involving witnesses can now be heard remotely following the roll-out of more advanced technology, the Courts Service of Ireland has announced. There were difficulties with the Pexip platform used for remote hearings since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in cases involvi

Co Meath solicitor Raymond Finnegan has been nominated for appointment to the District Court. He will fill the vacancy arising from the elevation of Judge Colin Daly, former president of the District Court, to the Circuit Court earlier this year.

Borrowers falling into home mortgage arrears due to an unforeseeable loss of income will gain court protection under new legislation which has cleared the Oireachtas. The Personal Insolvency (Amendment) Bill 2020, which will now be signed into law, gives insolvent homeowners the right to seek review

The government has set out more details of its plans to allow the vast majority of companies in Ireland to be rescued without applying to the courts. The Companies (Small Company Administrative Rescue Process and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021 will amend the Companies Act 2014 to allow small an

Plans for the most substantial reform of consumer contract law in Ireland in four decades have gone out to consultation. The Consumer Rights Bill 2021, which the government wants to become law by the end of the year, aims to consolidate and modernise consumer protection legislation, making it easier

Legislation allowing companies to hold virtual annual general meetings (AGMs) during the Covid-19 pandemic has been extended until the end of the year. The Companies (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Covid-19) Act 2020 makes temporary amendments to the Companies Act 2014 and the Industrial and Provident S

Judges are seeking an investigation into the “discriminatory, unfair and unlawful” judicial appointment system amid claims of bullying and racism, The Times reports. The Judicial Support Network (JSN), which promotes diversity on the bench, is sending a request today to the Equality and

Northern Ireland's construction sector is lagging behind the recovery in other UK regions, according to a new report published by RICS and law firm Tughans. A survey of construction businesses in Northern Ireland found a net balance of +8 per cent reporting rising workloads in Q1 2021, up from -18 p

Students who exploited a glitch in KFC's mobile app to obtain thousands of euros worth of free meals have been jailed in China. It began when one student, known only by his surname Xu, discovered he could obtain a free coupon and use it an unlimited number of times.

The High Court has set aside the renewal of a personal injuries summons on the grounds that there were no special circumstances to justify the renewal. The principal issue in the case was whether the bringing of the renewal application prior to the expiry of the Statute of Limitations could amount t

Legislation providing for preliminary trial hearings for the first time in Irish criminal law has cleared the Oireachtas. The Criminal Procedure Bill 2021 completed its final stages in the Seanad yesterday and will now be sent to the President for signing and enactment.

New planning guidelines and legislation are set to be introduced to mitigate against the bulk purchase of houses and duplexes and allow for the earmarking of houses in certain developments for owner occupiers. Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien said the measures, developed in conjunction with Finance