Northern Ireland

Three new independent members have been appointed to the Northern Ireland Policing Board (NIPB) for the next four years. Marian Cree, Patrick Nelson and Thomas O'Reilly were appointed by justice minister Naomi Long following a public appointment competition.

Plans to introduce a standalone criminal offence of assaulting a retail worker in England and Wales should be extended to Northern Ireland, an industry lobby group has said. The UK government yesterday announced a retail crime crackdown, with assaulting a retail worker to be punishable with up to si

The Lady Chief Justice of Northern Ireland, Dame Siobhan Keegan, and Madam Justice Denise McBride shared their journey to the senior judiciary as the keynote speakers at a Belfast event for women lawyers and law students. Hosted by QUB Women in Law, the annual networking event, now in its third year

Northern Ireland prosecutors will announce next week if they are bringing perjury charges against former British soldiers who gave evidence to inquiries into Bloody Sunday. The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) has told lawyers acting for victims and survivors of the 1972 massacre that its decision w

Laura Cunningham of Carson McDowell highlights a recent English court ruling on data breach claims where there is little evidence of actual harm. The ruling handed down by Nicklin J in the case of Fairly and 473 others v Paymaster (1936) Limited (trading as Equiniti) [2024] EWHC 383 (KB) is an indic

Belfast firm KRW LAW LLP has promoted Róise Fitzpatrick and Setanta Marley to partner. Mr Marley, a specialist Troubles-related litigator, will head up the firm's specialist conflict litigation department, while Ms Fitzpatrick, a criminal defence practitioner, will lead the firm's summary cri

The Law Society of Northern Ireland has launched a new initiative aimed at supporting the mental health and wellbeing of members of the legal profession and their support staff.

Belfast-based McCartan Turkington Breen has announced a new charity partnership with Hope House Ireland.

Lacey Solicitors partner Ruaidhrí Austin examines the first update in five years to the 'Green Book' governing personal injury awards in Northern Ireland. The Judicial Studies Board for Northern Ireland has published the sixth edition of the Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages in

The Attorney General for Northern Ireland has issued a pointed reminder about contempt of court laws amid widespread speculation regarding criminal charges against former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson. Sir Jeffrey resigned from the party leadership after being charged with one count of rape, one

Three former UK Supreme Court judges have joined hundreds of senior lawyers in calling on the UK government to immediately suspend arms sales to Israel because of a "serious risk of genocide". Former Supreme Court president Baroness Hale of Richmond, Lord Sumption and Lord Wilson are among the highe

The annual increase in limits for payments and awards to Northern Ireland workers in relation to certain employment rights is to take effect. From Saturday 6 April, the limit on the compensatory award for unfair dismissal rises from £105,915 to £115,341.

Belfast firm Edwards & Co has appointed Tara Clements as a solicitor in the firm's employment team. The firm says it has seen an increase in demand for specialist employment law advice and advocacy from employers and employees over the past year in particular.

Northern Ireland's legal aid spend was close to £102 million in 2022/23, an increase of seven per cent on the previous year, new figures show. A total of 63,976 cases were granted legal aid, of which over two-thirds (68 per cent) were criminal cases and around a third were civil cases.

Northern Ireland firm McCay Legal has appointed Sinead Creighan as a director heading up the firm's commercial property, real estate and private client department. Ms Creighan brings over 20 years' experience, having worked as a senior associate in a niche cross-border commercial law firm before bec