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Facebook could be slapped with a much larger fine over a data protection complaint following its referral by Ireland's Data Protection Commission (DPC) to the European Data Protection Board (EDPB). The Irish regulator last August proposed a fine in the range of €28 million to €36 million f

Proposals to expand the use of ex parte hearings in child care proceedings could be challenged as incompatible with the Constitution, the government has been told. The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has now published the responses to its 2020 consultation on refo

The general scheme of legislation which will ban anti-abortion protests from taking place within 100 metres of healthcare providers has been published. Ministers agreed to the drafting of the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services (Safe Access Zones)) Bill last week and the general scheme was pub

Northern Ireland's higher education institutions have signed up to a pledge not to use non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to silence victims of sexual harassment. Queen’s University, Ulster University, Stranmillis University College, St Mary’s University College and the Open University in

The Lady Chief Justice of Northern Ireland, Dame Siobhan Keegan, features in the latest episode of the Legal History Project podcast series. In a candid conversation, Dame Siobhan shares her pathway into a career in law as well as hopes and priorities for her tenure.

Ministers have approved plans to legislate for the designation and management of marine protected areas (MPAs) in Ireland's maritime territory. Work will now begin on the development of a general scheme of a bill to provide for the identification, designation, regulation, management, enforcement and

A round-up of human rights stories from around the world. China’s fake email onslaught ensnares human rights activist

A prison in Japan deprived an inmate of his half-rimmed glasses because they created a “menacing aura”. As a result, the prisoner suffered from headaches and bumped into others for months. Appalled at the treatment of the man, the Sapporo Bar Association complained to Tsukigata Prison ab

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) in England and Wales has commissioned the Universities of York, Cardiff, and Lancaster to lead a new independent review into why it receives more reports about Black, Asian and minority ethnic solicitors than their white colleagues. The project will also rev

ByrneWallace LLP has appointed three senior associates and five associates in its latest promotions round. The new senior associates are Billy Casserly in the litigation department, Helen Boland in health and social care and John Crowe in banking and finance.

A public consultation has been launched on the use of "live link" video and audio conference systems in Northern Ireland courts and tribunal hearings. The consultation, running until 26 September 2022, seeks views on the future use of live links as part of the digital improvement and modernisation o

Addleshaw Goddard's latest results show that profits at the firm rose by £21 million to £155 million in the year to 30 April 2022 while revenue increased by 18 per cent to £377m. The firm also launched four offices over the past year – in Dublin, through a merger with Eugene

UK government plans to introduce a new "bill of rights" will diminish human rights and weaken the ability of citizens to hold the state accountable, the Law Society of Northern Ireland's human rights and equality group has said. In a statement, the group said concerns it had raised as part of a publ

Belfast-based Cleaver Fulton Rankin (CFR) has signed up to a climate action pledge committing the firm to reducing its carbon footprint and setting ambitious targets to enhance its sustainability. The law firm — which says it will halve its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 — joins a host

Proposed legislation creating standalone offences of stalking and non-fatal strangulation and allowing courts to issue orders restraining stalking behaviours will become law this autumn under government plans. Ministers have now given their approval for the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions