Northern Ireland

An employment judge in Northern Ireland has described a claimant's use of generative AI to produce his witness statement as a "disturbing development". Employment Judge Sheils made the remarks in a ruling on a disability discrimination case brought against the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Servic

Newly-qualified solicitors in Northern Ireland were told they must learn to adapt to an ever-changing legal landscape of AI and rapidly developing legal technologies as they were welcomed to the profession last week.

A memorial plaque honouring victims and survivors of historical institutional abuse has been unveiled at Northern Ireland's Parliament Buildings.

A consultation focused on improving victims' engagement in the parole process has been launched by Northern Ireland's Department of Justice. Proposed changes to The Parole Commissioners’ Rules (Northern Ireland) 2009 would introduce a presumption that a victim will be permitted to attend the f

Plans to increase the maximum sentence for causing or allowing a child or vulnerable adult to die in Northern Ireland will not be implemented until after the next election. The Department of Justice today published a summary of responses from a public consultation which was carried out from June to

William Wilson has been elected as chair of the Northern Ireland Young Solicitors' Association (NIYSA) following its 2026 AGM. Mr Wilson, who leads the property department at Lacey & Co Solicitors, will be supported over the coming year by Katherine Macauley of Joseph Magee & Co as vice-chai

Nexus NI is to continue managing Northern Ireland's domestic and sexual abuse helpline after being awarded a three-year contract. The contract — which can optionally be extended twice for periods of two years each — was awarded jointly by the Department of Justice, Department of Health a

Self-employed people and personal employees working with vulnerable groups will now be able to obtain enhanced criminal record checks in Northern Ireland. Changes to the Rehabilitation of Offenders (Exceptions) Order (Northern Ireland) 1979 will widen access to "AccessNI Enhanced" checks.

Bria Mongan OBE has been appointed as deputy chair of the Probation Board for Northern Ireland (PBNI). Ms Mongan, who was already a member of the board, will serve in the post until 29 February 2028, aligning with the wider membership of the board.

An accelerated review of legal aid reform will take place in Northern Ireland following a breakthrough in talks between justice minister Naomi Long and striking criminal barristers. The Criminal Bar Association (CBA) began a withdrawal of services from all legally-aided Crown Court cases at the star

Legislation proposing significant reforms to sentencing is set to be introduced to the Northern Ireland Assembly. The Sentencing Bill has been developed separately from a wide-ranging sentencing review announced by justice minister Naomi Long in January, which is ongoing.

Northern Ireland commercial law firm Cleaver Fulton Rankin has once again achieved the internationally recognised Investors in People (IIP) accreditation. The IIP standard sets the benchmark for effective leadership, support, and development of people to deliver sustainable results.

Northern Ireland’s Court of Appeal has dismissed appeals by the parents of a child who was left near death as a result of non-accidental injuries. Delivering judgment for Northern Ireland’s Court of Appeal, Lady Chief Justice Siobhan Keegan highlighted: “This decision will provide

Claire Archbold has been appointed as Crown Solicitor for Northern Ireland. Ms Archbold's appointment was announced by the Advocate General for Northern Ireland, Lord Hermer KC, who is also Attorney General for England and Wales, late last month.

Redundancies are expected in the Belfast office of global law firm Baker McKenzie, which currently employs around 500 people. Irish Legal News understands that the firm is set to shed up to 10 per cent of its business professional roles globally, subject to consultations.