News

A round-up of human rights stories from around the world. Events in Iran since Mahsa Amini's arrest and death in custody

President Joe Biden has announced plans to pardon thousands of people with federal convictions for simple possession of cannabis in what is seen as a step towards the drug's decriminalisation in the United States. The pardons will not apply to people convicted under state laws, so will only affect a

A woman wanted by police was caught after she applied to work as a security guard at a police station. Zyeama Y. Johnson, 27, was wanted in Pennsylvania and New Jersey for failing to appear in court 11 times in connection with various fraud and traffic charges.

Belfast-based Mill Selig has raised over £1,000 for its chosen charity, Angel Wishes, following its second young professional event of the year. Over 100 guests, including the firm's clients and associates from businesses across Northern Ireland, were welcomed to the 'Yo-Pro Comedy Night' at t

Around €2.5 million has been set aside in anticipation of a "significant increase in the number of judges" in the State, justice minister Helen McEntee has said. An increase in judicial numbers is likely to be a headline recommendation of the judicial planning working group headed by civil serv

Belfast lawyer Michael Graham, head of private client and director at Cleaver Fulton Rankin, has been elected to the global governing body of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP). As all-Ireland member for STEP's global council, Mr Graham will represent members of the Irish branches

UK law firm TLT has announced the appointment of new associates, solicitors and trainees in its Belfast office. Kathy McComb and Joan Davison have joined the firm as associates in the banking and real estate teams respectively.

Spain's amnesty on Franco-era atrocities was abolished last night after a new law was passed in Madrid. The Democratic Memory Bill, drafted by the Socialist-led coalition government of Pedro Sánchez, the prime minister, is intended to deal with the grievances around the victims of fascist dic

Dozens of scam victims in Northern Ireland are set to receive compensation as part of an investigation into an international mass mail marketing scam. A four-year investigation saw the UK government-funded National Trading Standards (NTS) assist the US Federal Trade Commission with their investigati

ByrneWallace LLP managing partner Feargal Brenan has been appointed to the national council of Ibec, Ireland’s largest lobby and business representative group. Described as the "unifying voice for Ibec's membership", the national council is made up of more than 100 senior leaders representing

An new fine-dining restaurant has opened in a trendy part of San Francisco, catering exclusively to an unlikely clientele — dogs. Dogue, based in the city's rapidly gentrifying Mission District, offers dogs a three-course tasting menu for $75 (around €75 or £67), the San Francisco C

Michael A. Becker has joined Trinity College Dublin School of Law as an assistant professor of international human rights law. Mr Becker has a broad background in public international law and human rights. His research interests includes international courts and tribunals, fact-finding bodies and co

Mason Hayes & Curran LLP has appointed Domhnall Breatnach as a partner in the firm's dispute resolution team. Mr Breatnach advises on multi-party litigation before all Irish courts and the Court of Justice of the European Union. He has extensive experience advising on commercial disputes across

Callan Tansey Solicitors LLP has announced the appointment of Orlagh Sharkey as partner and head of the firm's family law department. Ms Sharkey has extensive experience in all areas of family law, including negotiating agreements on childcare, financial and property issues arising from divorce and

There has been a "flight of solicitors" from the legal aid family law panel due to the poor rates paid for legal aid work, a leading family lawyer has said. Keith Walsh, who practises in Dublin, made the comments following the launch of the Legal Aid Board's annual report for 2021 yesterday.