Northern Ireland

Proposals to significantly expand the spent convictions regime in Northern Ireland for the first time since its introduction more than four decades ago have gone out for consultation. The consultation, to run until 5 March 2021, presents proposals to reform the Rehabilitation of Offenders (Northern

A female prisoner in Northern Ireland has tested positive for Covid-19 for the first time, the Northern Ireland Prison Service has said. The positive test at Hydebank Wood College comes around four months after the first positive test of a prisoner in Northern Ireland in Maghaberry last September.

High Court judge Mr Justice Maguire has been appointed as a Lord Justice of Appeal in a round of judicial appointments announced this morning. Elsewhere, Mr Justice Huddleston has been appointed as president of the Historical Institutional Abuse Redress Board (HIA), taking over from Mr Justice Colto

Human rights campaigners have called on Northern Ireland's first and deputy first minister to condemn the arrest of around 50 democracy activists in Hong Kong. Activist Gwyneth Ho, who delivered the Amnesty International Northern Ireland annual lecture four weeks ago, is among those arrested for all

Northern Ireland solicitors Fiona Chamberlain and Alastair Rankin have been recognised by the UK government in the New Year's honours list. Mrs Chamberlain, until recently the Crown Solicitor for Northern Ireland, has been made a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in recognition of her contribu

Property sales and viewings can continue under the new Covid-19 restrictions in Northern Ireland, the Department for Communities has confirmed. The Northern Ireland Executive imposed increased restrictions for six weeks beginning 26 December 2020, which will be tightened further on Friday.

The International Convention Centre in Belfast (ICC) has been deployed as Northern Ireland's first "Nightingale venue" to facilitate court and tribunals business. However, the ICC is only being used for jury assembly this week pending "rigorous risk assessments", which the Northern Ireland Courts an

The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) and the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland (ECNI) have taken on new roles overseeing the UK government's commitment to protecting equality and human rights in Northern Ireland after Brexit. The government committed in the Northern Ireland Pr

A small number of virtual prison visits will take place on Christmas Day this year, the Northern Ireland Prison Service has announced. The move follows the suspension of physical prison visits from midnight tonight under the latest Covid-19 restrictions.

The Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland has dismissed a company's application for judicial review of a decision to allow an appeal against an enforcement notice targeting a quarry. Coulters Hill Residents Ltd (CHR) had applied for leave to apply for judicial review of the decision of the Planning Ap

Public sector lawyer Claire Archbold has been appointed as honorary professor of practice in public law at Queen's University Belfast. Professor Archbold returns to the university, having been a former academic, while continuing in her role as deputy departmental solicitor for the Northern Ireland C

A damning report from the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland on the treatment of Black Lives Matter protesters will be raised in ongoing litigation, a human rights firm has said. Belfast-based Phoenix Law, which represents a number of those fined for participating in BLM protests in Belfast and D

A new podcast hosted by a Northern Ireland immigration solicitor is aiming to reclaim the phrase "activist lawyer" in order to fight back against government attacks on the legal profession. Sarah Henry, director of immigration services at Newry-based Granite Immigration Law, launched the Activist La

In a “rolled-up” judicial review hearing, the High Court of Justice in Northern Ireland, having granted leave, dismissed an application challenging the Director of Public Prosecution’s decision to prosecute a former soldier for the murder and wounding with intent of two men in 1972

The PSNI's different treatment of Black Lives Matter protesters and loyalist counter-protesters was unfair but not motivated by racism, the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland has said. The watchdog has published a 90-page report into the policing of Black Lives Matter protests in Belfast and Derr