Coronavirus

Lawyers have been urged by Ms Justice Mary Irvine, the new president of the High Court, to consider settling 320 personal injury cases which have been left "in limbo" since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a statement this morning, Ms Justice Irvine highlighted statistics showing that 97 per c

New Nightingale-style courts will be opened to deal with the backlog of more than half a million criminal cases that have built up during the pandemic, The Times reports. Ten sites have been identified by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), amongst them town halls and university lecture theatres, wh

The PSNI is facing renewed calls to suspend its use of spit hoods following new evidence that they provide no protection from COVID-19 and could in fact increase the risk of infection. The controversial restraint devices were made more widely available to officers at the end of March by Chief C

Jason O'Sullivan, solicitor and public affairs consultant at J.O.S Solicitors, sets out some tips for employers as public health restrictions begin to ease. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s announcement last week that the Cabinet has approved plans to accelerate Ireland’s exit from current lockd

Physical prison visits will resume on a phased basis next month, nearly four months after their suspension during the COVID-19 crisis, the Irish Prison Service has announced. A new system of video visits was introduced in lieu of physical prison visits following their suspension on 27 March 2020.

A judicial review brought in response to a decision to reduce the number of inspections in care homes during the COVID-19 pandemic has been withdrawn following a U-turn by the Department of Health. Belfast firm KRW LAW LLP was instructed by Keith Gray, son of care home resident Briege Gray, to chall

Eoin Brereton, partner at Philip Lee, considers new guidance on directors' duties during COVID-19. On 4 June 2020 the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE) issued welcome guidance for directors of companies that ultimately become insolvent because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This guid

Katie McAuliffe, senior associate at Mason Hayes & Curran, explores the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare litigation. COVID-19 has placed the world in virtual lockdown. In an effort to mitigate the spread of the virus, the Irish government introduced travel restrictions limiting travel to essenti

The Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland has launched an investigation into the PSNI's enforcement of public health regulations at large public gatherings, including recent Black Lives Matter protests. The investigation will consider whether police have been consistent in their approach to issuing

The Belfast head of global law firm Herbert Smith Freehills has been appointed to a new advisory group established to help rebuild the Northern Ireland economy after COVID-19. Lisa McLaughlin, who was recently promoted to the firm's global partnership, is one of 11 members of the new economic adviso

Dorit McCann, partner at Beauchamps, considers whether firms emerging from the COVID-19 crisis with access to financing can use the "failing firm defence" to justify acquisitions of competitive businesses. COVID-19 has turned our world upside down but, while it presents great challenges to many busi

Ireland released a relatively high number of prisoners during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new figures from the Council of Europe. The Irish Prison Service (IPS) reported releasing 476 prisoners, or 12 per cent of its total prison population, to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The Labour Court has said it will continue to rely on a "combination of physical courtrooms and virtual courtrooms" in the medium term. The court began remotely hearing appeals and referrals to the court at the start of June and expects to re-open some physical courtrooms in July.

The introduction of police powers used to fine dozens of Black Lives Matter protesters just hours before the protests began was "purely coincidental", ministers have said. Amnesty International and the Belfast-based Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ) raised concerns earlier this month

Cathy Colton, partner at Carson McDowell, considers the legal pitfalls for businesses considering changes to licensed premises following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions. Businesses across the hospitality and leisure industry here are understandably keen to plan ahead for reopening following the