Northern Ireland

Millar McCall Wylie has welcomed five new trainees. Joining are Susannah Wallace, Owen McElroy, James McLean, Rebecca McKimm and Eva Hempstead.  Christopher McCandless, chief executive at Millar McCall Wylie said: "Bringing five trainees into our team is proof of our commitment to identifying a

Northern Ireland solicitors are seeking further clarification from the Law Society of Northern Ireland on the disciplinary process into beleagured chief executive, David Lavery, as a letter to members suggests that the finding of gross misconduct may not have arisen solely from the character referen

On Monday 7 September 2026 21 pupil barristers were called to the Bar of Northern Ireland.  The pupil barristers will now undertake 12 months of vocational training under the guidance of a qualified pupil master. The pupil masters are qualified barristers who undertake this mentorship on an ent

The Law Society of Northern Ireland has informed members that a new date has been set for the Special General Meeting that was called off yesterday.

Chief executive of the Law Society of Northern Ireland, David Lavery, was found guilty of gross misconduct by a disciplinary panel, an email to members reveals. Mr Lavery provided a character reference to his cousin, William Lloyd-Lavery, in April following Mr Lloyd Lavery’s conviction for his

P.A. Duffy & Co Solicitors has announced the qualification of Sarah Kirk as a solicitor, marking an important milestone in her career. Ms Kirk joined P.A. Duffy & Co in 2023 and commenced her solicitor training in September 2024. Since then, she has developed her experience working on a numb

The Law Society of Northern welcomed Jo Farrar, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Justice, to Law Society House yesterday for a roundtable on the growth of the legal services sector in Northern Ireland. The roundtable focused on the opportunities and challenges facing the sector – includi

The Lady Chief Justice, Dame Siobhan Keegan has stated in an interview with Good Morning Ulster that it is unwise for legal professionals to give character references. The issue has become prominent in the last few months as the provision of a character reference by the chief executive of the L

The chair of the Bar Council of Northern Ireland Denise Kiley KC has extended her congratulations to Fiona Doherty KC and Moira Smyth KC who were sworn into office as High Court judges on Friday. Ms Kiley KC said: “On behalf of the Bar, I offer my warmest congratulations to Fiona and Moira on

The Animal Law Foundation is urging Northern Ireland to follow England and Wales in making clear that boiling lobsters and crabs alive while conscious is unacceptable under existing animal welfare law. Despite scientific evidence that live boiling causes severe and prolonged suffering, and legal pr

39 Northern Ireland police officers have been named as recipients of this year’s Elizabeth Emblems which are awarded to families of public servants who died in the line of duty.

On its return from summer recess, the Committee for Justice of the Northern Ireland Assembly will continue its scrutiny of the Criminal Justice (Sentencing etc.) Bill. This is the first substantive sentencing-focused bill since the devolution of justice powers in 2010. There is much to welcome

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has settled a civil action by the family of Thomas Aquinas (Tommy) Burns who was killed by the British army on 13th July 1972 in North Belfast. Tommy Burns was shot in the chest as he attempted to leave Glenpark Social Club, Glenpark Street, Belfast, on 13 July 1972, at

Belfast Solicitors Association (BSA) has written to the president of the Law Society of Northern Ireland, Mark Borland, ahead of a special general meeting (SGM) due to take place on 9 September raising concerns about voting arrangements and disclosure of documentation.

Mulholland Law have called for called for an urgent independent investigation into the circumstances in which an Irish Prison Service (IPS) escort allegedly transported their client Patrick Irwin through Northern Ireland without lawful authority. Mr Irwin of Carrowgubaddagh, Ballisodare, Co Sligo wa