Northern Ireland

Barrister Alyson Kilpatrick has been appointed as the new chief commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC). Ms Kilpatrick, a public law specialist, will succeed Les Allamby in the leadership of the human rights watchdog with effect from 1 September 2021.

The introduction of pro bono costs orders in Northern Ireland has been identified as a priority area in a new plan for modernisation of the civil and family justice system. Justice Minister Naomi Long today published a delivery plan which sets out actions to be taken over the remainder of the curren

The Law Society of Northern Ireland has announced the appointment of Alison Grundle to a new role as head of member services. A number of new senior roles have been created by the Law Society in an effort to improve services for solicitors in Northern Ireland, according to the latest edition of The

A finding that the so-called "six-month rule" for terminally ill people accessing certain benefits is unlawful has been overturned by the Court of Appeal. The High Court ruled last summer that the requirement for terminally ill claimants to demonstrate that their death can reasonably be expected wit

Van Morrison has withdrawn his application for a judicial review of the "blanket ban" on live music in Northern Ireland venues during the Covid-19 pandemic. The singer-songwriter launched his legal action in January, arguing that Regulation 5 of The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regu

Employment law specialist firm Lewis Silkin LLP has expanded into Northern Ireland through a partnership with Belfast-based Jones Cassidy Brett (JCB). The six-strong JCB team has been integrated into Lewis Silkin, with JCB partners Adam Brett and Ciara Fulton becoming partners of Lewis Silkin NI LLP

The deadline to respond to a consultation on a proposed duty of candour law for Northern Ireland has been extended until the end of August. The consultation details proposals for legislation to ensure that health care and social care organisations, and individuals who work for them, are open and hon

The current Probation Board for Northern Ireland chair and board members are to have their terms extended for three months. The terms will be extended from 30 November 2021 to 28 February 2022.

UK law firm Shoosmiths has announced the appointment of corporate lawyer Grant Edwards as a partner in Belfast. Mr Edwards is dual-qualified in Northern Ireland and England and Wales and has worked with venture capital and private equity funds across the UK on their investments in Northern Ireland.

Commercial property lawyer Rosemary Stevenson has graduated from Queen's University Belfast (QUB) with a first class honours degree and top of her class – for a second time. Mrs Stevenson, who completed her law degree at QUB in 1993, returned to the university to study history while continuing

It is "plausible" that security services had "a real prospect of preventing the Omagh bombing", a High Court judge in Belfast has ruled. In a judgment delivered this morning, Mr Justice Mark Horner called for new Article 2-compliant investigations to take place on both sides of the border.

Legislation to enhance and update the legal framework for adoption will be introduced to the Northern Ireland Assembly after the summer recess. The Adoption and Children Bill aims to remove unnecessary delay and uncertainty for children by bringing Northern Ireland in line with the changes made in t

Criminologist Phil Scraton, professor emeritus at Queen's University Belfast School of Law, has joined a distinguished team of patrons of Include Youth, a rights-based charity working with young people. The team of six patrons, which include some of Northern Ireland's top athletes, will work closely

The latest edition of Folio, the conveyancing and land law journal from the Law Society of Northern Ireland, has been published. The first volume of 2021 includes pieces on drafting leases, the regulation of housing associations and issues affecting the agricultural property sector.

Northern Ireland's Department of Health has been directed to commission and make abortion services available as soon as possible and no later than 31 March 2022. Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis yesterday issued the direction using his powers under the Abortion (Northern Ireland) Regulations