Coronavirus

Criminal barristers have been told they will receive legal aid payments for adjourned cases during the coronavirus lockdown and "refresher fees" when trials resume. The Department of Justice confirmed in response to representations from The Bar of Ireland that brief fees will be paid now in respect

Eoghan Ó hArgáin, associate and head of the EU, competition and regulated markets team at Eugene F. Collins, explores what measures may be taken under Irish law in response to reports of “price gouging”. Following the outbreak of COVID-19 there have been reports of hand san

Prominent Belfast solicitor Niall Murphy, who has spent almost two weeks in hospital with coronavirus, is showing signs of improvement, according to reports. Mr Murphy, 43, is a partner at KRW LAW LLP and is known for his work as a criminal defence lawyer and in representing victims of state violenc

People who are not normally resident in Ireland will not suffer negative tax repercussions if they are unable to leave due to the coronavirus pandemic, Revenue has said. "Where a departure from the State is prevented due to COVID-19, Revenue will consider this ‘force majeure’ for the pur

Spitting on a police officer during the coronavirus pandemic should be prosecuted as actual bodily harm or grievous bodily harm, a judge has said. Judge Mark Hamill, sitting in Belfast Magistrates' Court, said the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) should take a harsher attitude while police officers

Joanne Ryan, associate at William Fry, looks at whether remote swearing is permitted in Ireland in light of the coronavirus pandemic and what can be done to address the issue of swearing affidavits while adhering to social distancing.  Due to the Government's necessary social distancing restric

Lawyers have raised concerns that coronavirus-related disruption at the Companies Registration Office (CRO) could land company directors in hot water. The CRO will only offer "limited services" to the public due to restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic, government officials have said.

Lawyers and legal academics have joined hundreds of immigration and health experts in calling on the Government to take further action to protect asylum seekers during the pandemic. More than 850 professionals have signed an open letter appealing to ministers to relocate international protection app

A joint statement issued by Ireland and 13 other European countries has raised concern about "the risk of violations of the principles of rule of law, democracy and fundamental rights" in responses to the coronavirus pandemic. The short statement was agreed by the governments of Ireland, Belgium, De

Remote court hearings will be piloted in Ireland for the first time later this month in order to maintain the operation of the justice system during the coronavirus pandemic. In a joint statement, Chief Justice Frank Clarke and the presidents of the court jurisdictions said a "considerable amount of

The Legal Aid Board has established a nationwide legal and mediation information helpline in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The helpline, at 1890 615 200, provides information to callers on civil legal aid and family mediation services and basic legal information.

William Fry partner Laura Scott, senior associate Colette Brady and trainee solicitor Sophie Delaney consider whether growing concerns about the availability of certain drugs and equipment in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic will we see governments start to issue compulsory licences. Concerns arou

An Garda Síochána has announced a crackdown on domestic abuse during the coronavirus pandemic. The Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB) is overseeing the implementation of "Operation Faoisimh", which is designed to ensure that victims of domestic abuse are supported and pr

Researcher Ethan Shattock argues that disinformation is a human rights issue and a human rights approach is needed in potential regulatory responses. In recent weeks, the outbreak of COVID-19 has demonstrated how false rumours, unverified information, and harmful lies can be spread with rapid speed

The latest guidance from the Courts Service of Ireland in relation to the coronavirus pandemic, issued on Sunday night, is reproduced in full below. Notice for practitioners and members of the public requiring services from court offices in respect of criminal, family law and civil law business