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Landmark legislation introducing a statutory aggravation model for hate crime in Ireland has been approved by the Cabinet. Justice Minister Helen McEntee today published the general scheme of the Criminal Justice (Hate Crime) Bill 2021 which, if approved, will become Ireland's only specific legislat

The widow of murdered solicitor Pat Finucane has been granted leave for a judicial review of the UK government's refusal to order a fresh public inquiry into the 1998 killing. Mr Justice Scoffield, in the High Court in Belfast, yesterday granted leave for Geraldine Finucane's new judicial review pro

The first edition of the Irish Judicial Studies Journal for 2021 is now online.

Protections against religious discrimination in employment would be extended to school teachers under a proposed private member's bill. Chris Lyttle, Alliance MLA for Belfast East, has launched a consultation on a proposed bill to include teachers under the Fair Employment and Treatment (NI) Order 1

Peter Devitt, associate at Hayes Solicitors, examines a decision bringing clarity to the interpretation of the "special circumstances" test for plaintiffs who are seeking to renew a summons. Under the Rules of the Superior Courts, a Summons (the document that initiates legal proceedings) remains in

The government has published new human rights guidance for business enterprises. The new guidance was developed by a multi-stakeholder group chaired by business leader Breege O’Donoghue as part of the implementation of the government's National Plan on Business and Human Rights.

Polish human rights chief Adam Bodnar has been ordered to leave his post by the country's top court. Mr Bodnar, widely regarded as a nuisance to Poland's authoritarian ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party, was appointed as Commissioner for Human Rights with the support of opposition parties in 2015.

Marks & Spencer has lodged legal proceedings against Aldi over its iconic "Colin the Caterpillar" cake. The luxury retailer claims its discount rival has violated its intellectual property with its "Cuthbert the Caterpillar" cake.

The High Court of Northern Ireland has awarded more than £250,000 to the estate of a deceased victim of military brutality on Bloody Sunday. The victim, Ms Margaret Deery, was shot through her thigh with a high-calibre bullet, resulting in massive damage to her leg and serious medical complica

Legal history was made yesterday morning when the first criminal trial to take place in Croke Park opened before a jury.

An outgoing Attorney General should not be eligible for appointment to the Supreme Court or the Court of Appeal for at least 12 months after leaving office, the Oireachtas justice committee has been told. Legal academics Dr Laura Cahillane, Dr Tom Hickey and Dr David Kenny were invited to make submi

The introduction of so-called vaccine passports in Northern Ireland could lead to the introduction of ID cards by the back door, a human rights NGO has warned. The Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ) states in a detailed briefing that there is an "arguable case" that a vaccine passport

A six-year youth justice strategy aimed at diverting children and young adults who commit a crime away from further offending and involvement with the criminal justice system has been launched. The Youth Justice Strategy 2021-2027, developed by a steering group since 2019, is designed to provide a d

Our regular round-up of deals involving Irish law firms. Submit your deals to newsdesk@irishlegal.com. Arthur Cox recently partnered with Herbert Smith Freehills LLP to advise EML Payments on its agreement to acquire Sentenial and its Open Banking brand Nuapay.