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Legislation to create a new domestic abuse offence for Northern Ireland has been introduced to the Northern Ireland Assembly. The Domestic Abuse and Family Proceedings Bill 2020 aims to criminalise patterns of controlling and coercive behaviour, as well as physical abuse, against a partner, former p

A couple received €10,000 in compensation last year after €800 in legal fees was added to their mortgage loan account, a new report has revealed. The couple complained to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO) and their settlement was included as a case study in its overview

The redress scheme for victims and survivors of historical institutional abuse in Northern Ireland has opened for applications. The Historical Institutional Abuse (Northern Ireland) Act was passed in Westminster on the last day of the previous Parliament after MPs fast-tracked the law last November.

The Legal Aid Board has established a nationwide legal and mediation information helpline in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The helpline, at 1890 615 200, provides information to callers on civil legal aid and family mediation services and basic legal information.

William Fry partner Laura Scott, senior associate Colette Brady and trainee solicitor Sophie Delaney consider whether growing concerns about the availability of certain drugs and equipment in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic will we see governments start to issue compulsory licences. Concerns arou

An Garda Síochána has announced a crackdown on domestic abuse during the coronavirus pandemic. The Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB) is overseeing the implementation of "Operation Faoisimh", which is designed to ensure that victims of domestic abuse are supported and pr

Researcher Ethan Shattock argues that disinformation is a human rights issue and a human rights approach is needed in potential regulatory responses. In recent weeks, the outbreak of COVID-19 has demonstrated how false rumours, unverified information, and harmful lies can be spread with rapid speed

In a keenly-awaited landmark ruling, the UK Supreme Court has ruled supermarket chain Morrisons is not liable for the conduct of an employee who leaked payroll data for over 100,000 workers and was subsequently jailed. The appeal concerned the circumstances in which an employer is vicariously liable

A man arrested after a high-speed car chase allegedly told officers he was teaching his dog how to drive. Officers said they found a pit bull behind the wheel of the car when it eventually came to a halt, but the dog's 51-year-old owner was steering.

The Court of Appeal has dismissed the appeal of a Cork solicitor who was found guilty of professional misconduct by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal after he threatened to destroy files for the non-payment of fees which were not actually owed to him. Background

More than half a dozen new lawsuits have been filed in connection with the CervicalCheck scandal since the Supreme Court handed down its judgment in the Morrissey case earlier this month. Ruth Morrissey was awarded €2.1 million by the High Court last year over the misreading of her cervical sme

Solicitors have been advised that they can witness the signing of wills through windows and car windshields during the coronavirus pandemic. The Law Society of Ireland circulated advice to solicitors last week following an increase in the number of people seeking to make a will as part of contingenc

Gardaí recorded sharp increases in fraud, gun and drug offences in 2019, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO). The number of fraud, deception and related offences recorded by gardaí rose to 7,944 in 2019, an increase of 26.2 per cent on the previous

The International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) has postponed all hearings currently scheduled up to and including 19 April 2020. Chairperson Hilkka Becker said the Tribunal was taking further measures to protect "the health and safety of appellants, tribunal staff and members and our stakehold

A senior judge has said there is no reason why non-jury trials cannot proceed in the Special Criminal Court when many other upcoming court cases have been placed in doubt over the coronavirus crisis. Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding in the three-judge court yesterday, was speaking about the upcoming