Northern Ireland

A former CEO of the Women's Aid Federation NI has been appointed to lead an independent review into the death of a man during his trial for rape and murder. Dr Jan Melia, a current domestic homicide review chairperson, has been appointed as the independent reviewer in the case of Jonathan Cresswell.

Kennedys associate Emma Falloon has been elected as chair of the Northern Ireland Young Solicitors' Association (NIYSA). William Wilson, a property lawyer with Lacey Solicitors, will support Ms Falloon as vice-chair for the 2025 term following the association's recent AGM.

A coroner's finding that the 1992 shooting by British soldiers of four Provisional IRA men at Clonoe Chapel was not justified has been referred to prosecutors. Mr Justice Michael Humphreys ruled earlier this month that the soldiers, who belonged to a specialist military unit (SMU), held no honest be

Tughans has been ranked as Northern Ireland's most prolific legal adviser for mergers and acquisitions (M&A) for the 10th year in a row. The firm advised on 94 of the 346 transactions recorded in 2024 — more than 25 per cent of all reported deals during the year — according to the la

Northern Ireland’s High Court has declared that a man who was registered as the father of a child did not acquire parental responsibility of that child where he and the mother had perjured themselves. Delivering judgment for the High Court, Mr Justice David McFarland determined that “AB,

Northern Ireland's controllership system is virtually non-existent and placing a "cruel and unnecessary burden" on families of disabled adults, former justice minister Claire Sugden has said. The independent MLA yesterday tabled a number of written questions to the justice, finance, health and commu

Lawyers have criticised an alleged lack of transparency in the public local inquiry into Northern Ireland's proposed Dalradian gold mine. The inquiry was due to run from January to March 2025 but was suspended after sitting for just three days due to procedural failings by the Department for Infrast

Landmark legislation giving official recognition to both Irish Sign Language (ISL) and British Sign Language (BSL) has cleared second stage in the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Nearly £2 million has been paid this week to three Northern Ireland victims of the Post Office Horizon scandal. Hundreds of postmasters and subpostmasters across the UK, including in Northern Ireland, were wrongly accused of theft based on data provided by the faulty Horizon accounting system

Northern Ireland's High Court has adjourned a legal challenge over the North-South Interconnector until April. The case will resume on 9 April 2025 following an application from the Department for Infrastructure and the electricity transmission system operator SONI. 

Two Travellers who were "shooed" out of a council office when attempting to register the birth of their child have settled a race discrimination claim against Mid Ulster District Council for £15,000. Caroline Joyce and Noel Cawley were supported by the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland

A new advocacy service for victims of sexual and domestic abuse in Northern Ireland is to be launched later this year. ASSIST NI will provide an adult service for victims who are aged 18 and above, and a separate service for children and young people who are 17 years of age and below, who are engagi

DWF has announced seven promotions in Belfast, including a more senior role for construction partner David McNeice and a promotion to partnership for insurance lawyer Louise Trimble. Real estate lawyer Amanda Byrnes has been promoted to director and dispute resolution lawyer David Humphreys has been

The Northern Ireland Assembly has again voted in favour of a "progressive smoking ban" despite continued uncertainty over its compatibility with post-Brexit rules. MLAs yesterday passed a legislative consent motion backing Northern Ireland's inclusion in the UK government's Tobacco and Vapes Bill, w

A first-of-its-kind book on Youth Court practice in Northern Ireland has been launched by the Law Society of Northern Ireland. Authors Séamus McIlroy BL and John Mackell BL were joined by family, colleagues and members of the judiciary at an official launch event at Law Society House last wee