News

The European Commission has published its first EU-wide report on the rule of law, which includes input from every member state and covers both positive and negative developments across the EU. The report shows that many member states have high rule of law standards, but highlights important challen

The 22 prosecutors of the new European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) have taken their oath in a ceremony at the European Court of Justice. The new EPPO will be the first supranational public prosecution office and will investigate and prosecute fraud and other crimes affecting the EU's financial

Ireland's top court has ruled that US sandwich chain Subway uses too much sugar in its dough to meet the legal definition of bread. In a dispute over VAT, the Supreme Court noted that Subway's bread has a sugar content of 10 per cent of the weight of the flour included in the dough.

The Judicial Council has been asked to consider whether or not to publish the completed report by former Chief Justice Susan Denham on Mr Justice Séamus Woulfe's attendance at a controversial dinner which broke Covid-19 rules. The Supreme Court judge and former Attorney General apologised in

Barrister Nuala Butler SC has been nominated by ministers for appointment as an ordinary judge of the High Court. Ms Butler will fill the vacancy arising from the elevation of Ms Justice Teresa Pilkington to the Court of Appeal earlier this month.

Family lawyers have welcomed progress on "long overdue" proposals to establish new dedicated family courts within the existing court structures. Justice Minister Helen McEntee today announced that government ministers have approved the drafting of a Family Court Bill, which will provide for the esta

The Law Reform Commission has identified two "constitutionally permissible" models for capping personal injuries pay-outs in Ireland. In a new report, the law reform body said two of the four models it first detailed in an issues paper last December could be introduced.

Corporate law firm A&L Goodbody (ALG) has announced the appointment of four new solicitors at its Belfast office. Lauren McCollum and Shane Swaile have both been appointed as assistant solicitors in the corporate department, while Lydia Gilmour and Kourosh Abelehkoob have joined the banking and

Lisa Bryson, partner and head of employment at Eversheds Sutherland in Belfast, highlights the importance of the successor to the Covid-19 furlough scheme. Six months on from the Chancellor’s first major intervention through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), Covid-19 is on the resur

Gardaí with special training in domestic and sexual violence are now available across the State following the completion of the rollout of Garda Divisional Protective Services Units (DPSUs). The launch of the Meath/Westmeath unit today fulfils a government commitment to complete the rollout o

Police officers have been offered "surf therapy" to help them deal with mental health problems. The roll-out of the scheme is reportedly inspired by its use in the military – conjuring up images of Francis Ford Coppola's epic, Apocalypse Now.

Comyn Kelleher Tobin (CKT) has continued its growth in Cork and Dublin with the appointment of a new partner and two new solicitors.

Prosecutors have upheld their decision not to prosecute 15 former British soldiers for murder, attempted murder and causing grievous bodily injury in connection with Bloody Sunday in 1972. The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) conducted an internal review following its controversial decision in March

Lawyers for a self-employed chef are challenging the UK government's criteria for access to the Covid-19 job retention scheme. Brian Donaldson, the former chef to the Northern Ireland football squad at the Euros in 2016, switched from employee status to become self-employed last year.

Planning law reforms could help reduce the price of renewable electricity in Northern Ireland, a prominent energy lawyer has said. Richard Murphy, partner at Pinsent Masons and head of the international law firm's Irish energy group, today called on the Northern Ireland Executive to take action to h