Northern Ireland

Phoenix Law partner Darragh Mackin has appeared before the St Helena Court of Appeal in a case concerning access to justice for citizens of the British overseas territory. The Belfast lawyer has been instructed by St Helena's Equality and Human Rights Commission, which is intervening in the case, Pe

Sir John Gillen has been reappointed as independent assessor of PSNI recruitment vetting for a further four years. The retired judge, who sat on Northern Ireland's High Court from 1999 and the Court of Appeal from 2014 until his retirement in 2017, will serve for a second term until 30 April 2029.

Northern Ireland’s High Court has dismissed a woman’s challenge to her exclusion from receipt of Cost of Living Payments (COLPs) during a period when she was housed in temporary accommodation and was in receipt of Housing Benefit. Delivering judgment for the High Court, Mr Justice David

The PSNI has been challenged over a bizarre decision to release a deliberately blurred image of suspects in an attempted murder. Belfast firm Phoenix Law said its client Sean O'Reilly was confused by the force's appeal for assistance in identifying two suspects while releasing CCTV images with their

Northern Ireland personal injury law firm JMK Solicitors has recognised the expertise of five team members by giving them new titles. Marie-Claire Meehan is now director of performance, while Susan Morrison is now costs consultant and Sinead Toal, Ailis McKeown and Wendy McIntosh are now senior asso

Northern Ireland prosecutors are to appeal a sentence imposed on a man convicted of sexually exploiting and trafficking vulnerable young women. Oliver MacCormack, 71, was sentenced on 10 April 2025 in Belfast Crown Court to seven years' imprisonment for 40 counts relating to nine female victims.

The High Court has granted orders recognising the entering into administration of a Northern Irish company and the powers of its joint administrators. Delivering judgment for the High Court, Mr Justice Michael Quinn considered that there was a legitimate purpose for seeking recognition and added: "A

A man has lost an appeal against his conviction for harassing Belfast solicitor Emma Lyons. Kevin Kennedy, 37, was convicted in Belfast Magistrates' Court in March 2024 of harassing Ms Lyons on dates between July 2022 and February 2023.

The solicitors' hourly rate used in assessments of legal costs in Northern Ireland is to be increased by more than 50 per cent to £155 per hour. The new hourly rate, signed off by the Taxing Master on Tuesday, will take effect from 1 June 2025 and will apply until 1 April 2027.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) would be allowed to hold on to DNA and fingerprint evidence for longer when related to terror investigations under proposals currently out for consultation. Northern Ireland's Department of Justice is seeking views on proposed changes to a part of the Po

Northern Ireland's Department of Justice has launched a public consultation on a proposed nine per cent increase in civil court fees, spread over the next three years. The majority of court fees were raised by nine per cent in November 2023 and by a further nine per cent in October 2024 in response

A&L Goodbody has entered a three-year strategic partnership with NOW Group, a multi-award-winning social enterprise supporting people who are neurodiverse, autistic, have ADHD or have a learning disability, in finding jobs with a future. As part of the partnership, the firm will become a JAM (Ju

The UK Supreme Court has considered, in a case originating from Northern Ireland, the question of whether the interpretation of defence statements in jury trials is a matter for the trial judge or jury. Delivering judgment for the Supreme Court, Lord Nicholas Hamblen stated: “In evidence the a

The Law Society of Northern Ireland has welcomed the justice minister and the head of Ulster University School of Law to the first event held by its recently-launched Women's Network. The "Overcoming Challenges Throughout a Career into Female Leadership" event at Law Society House drew legal profess

Dame Brenda King has been reappointed as attorney general for Northern Ireland for a further five years. Having been first appointed in 2020, her term of appointment will now expire on 30 June 2030.