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Preliminary trial hearings can take place from today following the commencement of landmark legislation on criminal procedure. The commencement of the Criminal Procedure Act 2021, which was signed into law last May, is expected to have particular benefit for sexual offences and white-collar crime ca

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has been condemned as a "gross violation of international law" in a joint statement from the representative bodies for barristers in Ireland, Northern Ireland, England and Wales and Scotland. The statement has been signed by Maura McNally SC, chair of the Bar Council

The Irish government has welcomed progress on new EU rules for non-financial reporting by companies on environmental, social, human rights and governance matters. The EU Competitiveness Council in Brussels has agreed to enhanced measures backed by the European Commission and will now enter discussio

Regulations allowing for vacant pubs to be converted into homes without planning permission have been extended until 2025. Nearly 1,400 vacant pubs have been converted into homes since the exemption was introduced in 2018, and it will now be extended until the end of 2025.

The criminal justice system is failing rape complainants, and "widespread reform is needed to build trust and secure justice", a new report has found. A joint inspection by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) and HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI)

A student has been caught with a Bluetooth device surgically implanted in his ear to enable him to cheat in a medical exam. The Indian man used the device during his last attempt at passing a test. It was linked to a phone in a hidden pocket of his trousers.

Northern Ireland commercial law firm Tughans has announced the appointment of Julie Huddleston as a partner in the firm's finance and restructuring team. Ms Huddleston advises banks and insolvency practitioners on secured lending and corporate recovery matters.

Employment law firm GQ|Littler has announced the appointment of Alison Finn as the first senior associate in its Dublin office. Ms Finn advises on all contentious and non-contentious employment law matters, from the commencement of the employment relationship to termination.

The legal aid financial eligibility test has been waived in Northern Ireland for victims of domestic abuse who need to respond to an application by their abuser. Justice minister Naomi Long yesterday commenced section 28 of the Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Act (Northern Ireland) 2021, which

Northern Ireland should adopt a 'Barnahus' system to avoid re-traumatising children who have been sexually abused through the criminal justice process, Northern Ireland's commissioner for children and young people has said. A new report published yesterday explores the benefit of adopting the "one-d

A round-up of human rights stories from around the world. China's Other Human Rights Atrocity

Amnesty International has called for unerring respect for international human rights and humanitarian law, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine this morning. “Our worst fears have been realized. After weeks of escalation, a Russian invasion that is likely to lead to the most horrific c

A Japanese court has awarded damages to people who were forcibly sterilised under an old eugenics law intended to prevent the births of "inferior children". Between 1948 and 1996, some 16,500 people, mostly women with disabilities, were sterilised to “prevent the birth of poor-quality descenda

An Garda Síochána should take action to better safeguard the right of people in custody to consult a solicitor in private, the Garda Inspectorate has said. A new report published today sets out a number of recommendations following a comprehensive examination of the standard of treatme

The long-delayed public state apology to victims and survivors of historical institutional abuse in Northern Ireland will be delivered by five ministers in the absence of a first minister and deputy first minister. There were fears that the resignation of first minister Paul Givan would lead to the