News

A government review of Ireland's freedom of information legislation will be completed next summer, according to a new roadmap. Public expenditure and reform minister Michael McGrath has set out his plans for the review of the Freedom of Information Act, which was first announced in June.

Belfast-based Carson McDowell has announced the appointment of Richard Dickson as a partner in the firm's real estate team. Mr Dickson has over 21 years' experience of dealing with all aspects of property law transactions. He joined Carson McDowell in September, having previously been a partner of a

One of the oldest beauty pageants in the world is being sued over allegations that it is breaking employment laws by judging applicants on their looks. Feminist organisation Osez le Féminisme has launched the lawsuit against the producers of the 101-year-old Miss France pageant, Insider repor

A new bill will aim to "enhance transparency" around the practice of insurers deducting government payments from Covid-related claims settlements. The Department of Finance has begun drafting the Insurance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which will address insurance-related issues that have arisen

A&L Goodbody LLP has named David Widger as its next managing partner, taking the reins of the firm from May 2022. He will succeed Julian Yarr following the completion of his third and final term as managing partner, having served in the leading role for 12 years.

Northern Ireland solicitors, trainees, legal executives, legal analysts and paralegals have been invited to take part in a new equality and diversity survey. The survey, being conducted by the Law Society of Northern Ireland's human rights and equality group, aims to provide a snapshot of the solici

Demand for civil legal aid fell sharply last year as public health restrictions were put in place, new figures from the Legal Aid Board reveal. The number of applicants seeking civil legal aid services from the Board's law centres totalled 14,383 in 2020, down by nearly a fifth on the previous year,

The backlog of cases in the criminal courts in England and Wales is likely to be a pervasive issue for several years, severely affecting all court users, according to a report by the National Audit Office (NAO). The pandemic significantly affected the work of the criminal justice system, requiring e

Cleaver Fulton Rankin has been recognised for excellence in people management at the CIPD Northern Ireland HR Awards. The CIPD NI HR Awards celebrate the best in HR and people management, and recognises those that have introduced business transformation or change that has led to a positive outcome,

A new independent gambling regulator will become operational in 2023 under plans approved by ministers this week. The general scheme of the Gambling Regulation Bill, published yesterday, will create a new Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland covering both online and in-person gambling, with powe

The Law Society of Northern Ireland has announced the appointment of Darren Patterson as head of professional development. Bringing with him an impressive portfolio of experience in the area of talent development and organisational change across a range of sectors, he will lead the Society’s w

The High Court has determined that a motor insurer must provide cover for a man who was badly injured when the lifting mechanism of a lorry failed and dropped a large bin on him. The dispute came before the court as a special case pursuant to Order 34 RSC, in circumstances where two insurers could n

Drunken villagers in India are being locked in cages and taunted by schoolchildren in order to deter them from alcoholism. The punishment, first devised in Motipura in the state of Gujarat, sees drunkards placed in a rusty cage until they pay a fine.

A family judge has rejected 28 “DIY divorce” applications after couples who used an unregulated website gave the exact same reasons for wanting to divorce. Mr Justice Moor said it was “quite impossible” that each of the respondents would behave in exactly the same manner and

British tourists who are injured abroad will be permitted to sue through the UK courts, after a woman succeeded in her Supreme Court case against a hotel chain to establish jurisdiction. Lady Brownlie took legal action after her husband Sir Ian Brownlie QC, 77, died along with his daughter, Rebecca,