News

Telecoms giant BT has announced plans to invest over £2.7 million in a new first-of-its-kind legal hub in Belfast, creating up to 30 commercial lawyer roles over the next four years. Seven lawyers have joined the new BT hub, which will offer efficient, high-quality legal support to BT's corpor

Irish barrister Susan Ahern has been appointed as the first independent judicial chair of the International Wheelchair Rugby Federation (IWRF). Ms Ahern, who has over 20 years' experience in sports law, will assist in the development and ongoing management of the independent judicial processes requi

Healthcare solicitor Aisling Timoney has been appointed as a member of the Health and Social Care Professionals Council (CORU) for a four-year term. Health Minister Stephen Donnelly announced four appointments to the multi-profession health regulator to run until 18 November 2024 following a public

The UK government has drawn condemnation after refusing to order a public inquiry into the murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane, which campaigners say flies in the face of the rule of law. The government yesterday outlined its response to the UK Supreme Court's ruling in February 2019 that the s

Northern Ireland should overhaul its hate crime laws to adopt a statutory aggravation model similar to that in Scotland, a major judge-led review has concluded. Judge Desmond Marrinan was appointed last summer to carry out the independent review, which was first promised in 2017 following calls from

The Parole Board will be put on an independent statutory footing by the end of next year, Justice Minister Helen McEntee has said. Ms McEntee gave an update on the implementation of the Parole Act 2019 as she launched the Board's annual report for 2019.

Legislation modernising the licensing and promotion of local gaming and lottery activity has been brought into effect. The government has described the Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Act 2019 as an "interim reform measure pending the comprehensive reform of gambling in Ireland".

The FDA trade union has today launched a ballot for industrial action over the fact Crown Office lawyers are paid less than their Scottish government counterparts.  The move could see about 500 procurators fiscal walk out early next year, our sister publication Scottish Legal News reports.

Fergal McGoldrick, associate at Carson McDowell, looks at the latest high-profile defamation case in London and considers how it compares to defamation in Northern Ireland. Amidst the gloom of rapidly darkening November evenings, and the doom of a global pandemic, the London libel court has roared b

A nine-year-old girl who died after an asthma attack may become the first person in the UK to be recognised as a victim of air pollution. A fresh inquest into the death of Ella Kissi-Debrah in 2013 began in London yesterday following last year's quashing of the original 2014 inquest ruling.

International lawyers are drafting a plan for a new offence of ecocide. The panel organising the initiative is chaired by Professor Philippe Sands QC, of University College London and Florence Mumba, a former Internation Criminal Court judge.

A lawyer who represented a non-existent victim in one of the highest-profile trials in German legal history has been found not guilty of intent to deceive. The 53-year-old lawyer, who has not been named, took part in the trial of several members of the neo-Nazi National Socialist Underground (NSU) g

The High Court has made a security for costs order in favour of a NAMA operated company. Background

Members of the public will be able to seek access to written submissions in High Court cases from early next year, the court has announced. In a new practice direction, Ms Justice Mary Irvine, president of the High Court, said the move was being made "in the interests of transparency and consistent

Corporate and commercial law firm Mills Selig has announced the appointment of Chris Guy as managing partner. Mr Guy will take on the firm's leadership from 1 December 2020, taking over from John Kearns, who will stay on as senior partner.