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The routine fast-tracking of legislation relating to Northern Ireland is "constitutionally unacceptable", a key Westminster committee has said. The House of Lords select committee on the constitution said the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill could have been "introduced earlier and proceed

A judge has imposed a strict "crowing schedule" on a rooster following noise complaints from neighbours. The rooster is allowed to crow from 8am to 10pm on most days and from 9am to 10pm on Sundays, and otherwise has to be housed in a "sufficiently soundproofed" place.

A man accused of offences relating to a car bomb in 1972 which killed two members of the UDR has lost an appeal against an order for his surrender on foot of a European Arrest Warrant. Finding that the question of whether the prosecution of John Downey would be an abuse of process due to the “

The proposed Judicial Council is set to be established by the end of the year following the passing of the landmark Judicial Council Bill by the Oireachtas yesterday. The bill provides for the establishment of a Judicial Council, composed of all members of the judiciary, and will provide for the fir

An expanded spent convictions scheme in Ireland would help to reduce reoffending and improve socio-economic outcomes in working class communities, an Oireachtas committee has heard. The justice committee today heard evidence on spent convictions from Senator Lynn Ruane; Fíona Ní Chinn&

Abortion access and same-sex marriage will be extended to Northern Ireland through secondary UK legislation if a Northern Ireland Executive is not formed by October under plans approved by MPs yesterday. In a free vote, MPs voted by 332-99 and 383-73 to support amendments to the Northern Ireland (Ex

Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan is expected to secure Cabinet approval today for new legislation to implement divorce and blasphemy reforms following recent referendum results. He will ask his Government colleagues to approve the drafting of a Family Law Bill to reduce the living apart period unde

A former Ennis solicitor has admitted stealing nearly €150,000 from clients over a five-year period in order to pay debts. Michelle O'Keeffe, 55, pleaded guilty in Ennis District Court today to sample counts from 19 separate counts of theft, dated between January 2006 and December 2011.

Two men who were wrongfully convicted and served long sentences before being freed are taking their fight for compensation to the European Court of Human Rights, The Times reports. Sam Hallam, 31, and Victor Nealon, in his 50s, argue the law on compensation is incompatible with the right to a free t

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has cleared, subject to a number of legally binding commitments, the proposed acquisition of sole control of Kings Laundry Limited by Berendsen Ireland Limited. Berendsen and Kings Laundry are two of the three main providers of outsourced fla

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has issued a notice of its intention to fine Marriott International £99.2 million for infringements of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The proposed fine relates to a cyber incident which was notified to the ICO by Marriott in November

Lady Hale, president of the UK Supreme Court, has made a significant departure from convention by criticising a piece of proposed legislation currently under consideration by MPs. In a speech to the International Centre for Family Law, Policy and Practice this month, Lady Hale said the Divorce (Fina

Belfast-based Carson McDowell has announced a year-long partnership with local charity Cancer Fund for Children.

US President Donald Trump is not allowed under the First Amendment of the US Constitution to block his critics on Twitter, judges have ruled. A court challenge was brought by the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University and seven people who had been blocked by the president's fam

Egypt has announced plans to sue a UK auction house over the sale of a Tutankhamun bust it says was probably stolen. The Egyptian government is hoping to repatriate the sculpture, which was sold by Christie's auction house for £4.7 million last week.