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Researchers have launched a comprehensive public database exploring amnesties granted during ongoing conflicts, as part of peace negotiations, or in post-conflict periods for the first time. The Amnesties, Conflict and Peace Agreement (ACPA) dataset contains detailed information on 289 amnesties int

An official review into a compensation scheme for victims of sexual abuse in schools has been further delayed until at least December. The government has sought its fourth delay on updating the Council of Europe on its progress in reviewing the compensation scheme set up following a landmark court d

Same-sex couples in Northern Ireland can have religious wedding ceremonies from today as new regulations come into force. The Marriage and Civil Partnership (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2020 removes the prohibition on religious marriage of same-sex couples from 1 September 2020.

The Supreme Court of India has imposed a symbolic fine of one rupee on a lawyer found guilty of criminal contempt for social media posts that criticised senior judges. Prashant Bhushan, 63, who had refused to apologise for the tweets, was told to pay the fine by September 15. If he fails to do

Aviation authorities have asked police to investigate reports from two pilots who said they saw a man in a jetpack above Los Angeles. The bizarre saga began when a pilot approaching Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Sunday night told the control tower that he "just passed a guy in a jetpack

The High Court has denied an application for an order pursuant to Ord 31 r 1 RSC granting leave to deliver interrogatories in a swine flu vaccine personal injuries case. Background

A sharp decline in the use of suspended sentences in Ireland may be down to sentencing courts failing to correctly apply two key principles, the Law Reform Commission has suggested. The law reform body's new report on suspended sentences recommends that the newly-established Sentencing Guidelines an

Plans to introduce new Garda powers to close bars and restaurants which breach COVID-19 health regulations have been unveiled by ministers. The Criminal Justice (Enforcement Powers) (Covid-19) Bill 2020 will provide for three types of closure orders that may be issued to a bar or restaurant in circu

The Bar Council of Ireland has pushed back at claims from the head of the Courts Service that some practitioners have "made a fortune" during the COVID-19 crisis. In an interview published by The Irish Times last Thursday, Angela Denning, CEO of the Courts Service, suggested that while some lawyers

An Garda Síochána's routine use of spit hoods during the COVID-19 pandemic is incompatible with human rights law on torture or other forms of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment, civil liberties campaigners have said. The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) called

Professor Ursula Kilkelly, from University College Cork, considers the impact of remote hearings on the legal rights of children under Irish and international law. COVID-19's public health restrictions have necessitated changes in practice across the legal system. Principal among these is the increa

Tom O'Malley SC considers golfgate and calls for any backlash or punishment of public officeholders in attendance to be rational and proportionate. The backstory to what has become known as Golfgate is now well-known. The Oireachtas Golf Society held a two-day outing on 18 and 19 August at Ballyconn

Callan Tansey has announced it will continue to sponsor Ballina Town Football Club's Superleague team for their 2020 season. Callen Tansey acknowledged the important role local clubs have at the heart of communities across Ireland, and said it is committed to recognising and supporting the efforts o

Around 54 million people are being referred to prosecutors for failing to vote in recent elections in Egypt. Voting is mandatory in the north African country but only 14 per cent of voters turned out for Senate elections earlier in August.

The Home Office has been roundly condemned by lawyers across the UK for attacking the integrity of the legal profession and undermining the rule of law after releasing a video accusing "activist lawyers" of delaying deportations. The video, which was posted on the Home Office's Twitter page but late