Opinion

Marguerite Kehoe BL reviews recent case law highlighting the systemic challenges face by the CFA in securing an adequate number of special care beds for minors requiring assistance. The inability of the Child and Family Agency (CFA) to provide sufficient special care beds has been the subject of sev

Eversheds Sutherland lawyer Laura McManus examines women's rights in the workplace as Northern Ireland falls behind neighbouring jurisdictions. As we celebrate International Women’s Day in Northern Ireland, working women, and working families, continue to enjoy less rights in the workplace tha

Dr Deirdre McGowan offers a family law perspective on the coming family and care referendums. We have become accustomed to referendums that result in practical positive change. The equal-marriage referendum allowed previously excluded couples to get married. Similarly, repealing the eighth amendment

Eversheds Sutherland partner Graham Kenny recalls a dark part of Irish legal history brought to light in a recent Supreme Court case. Last month, a seven-judge Supreme Court unanimously held that the current law that denied John O’Meara a widow’s contributory pension was unconstitutional

Carson McDowell associate Genevieve Brindley highlights a UK judgment on psychiatric illness negligently caused to 'secondary victims' and considers the possible implications in Ireland. In a recent decision relating to three cases — Paul v Wolverhamptom NHS Trust, Polmear and another v R

With recent commentary from High Court judges past and present, the issue of legal costs in Ireland has arisen once again. Killian Flood writes on the issue of legal costs from a barrister’s perspective.

Ian McFarland, partner at Eversheds Sutherland Belfast, writes on the restoration of the Northern Ireland Assembly at long last. After nearly two years, we welcome a reformed legislative Assembly. In amongst it all, this is a significant development for employers, employees, and us lawyers alike.

Law student Alannah Murray offers a critical perspective on the upcoming referendum on 'care'. “The State recognises that the provision of care, by members of a family to one another by reason of the bonds that exist among them, gives to Society a support without which the common good cannot b

Pa Daly TD and Dr Ian Marder argue their new private members’ bill could be a win-win for victims of crime, people who commit offences and the wider community. We expect our criminal justice system to make us all safer and meet the needs of victims of crime. Yet, our courts face long delays an

Dr Maeve O'Rourke calls on the Irish government to back South Africa's case bringing the charge of genocide against Israel. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is hearing South Africa’s case against Israel under the 1948 Genocide Convention this week.

Karen Kearney, partner at Cantillons Solicitors, comments on the coming investigation into Aoife Johnston's death at University Hospital Limerick. I listened with interest to an interview on Morning Ireland on 5 January 2024 with Stephen Donnelly, our minister for health. He was asked by Rachel Engl

Is social media truly the silver bullet when it comes to marketing law firms? No, it’s not, writes Glenn Reid. This is not to say you should ignore social media when marketing your practice. It has its place, it's just a little further down the pecking order when it comes to the overall legal

Keith Walsh SC criticises government plans to expand the jurisdiction of the District Court. The Family Courts Bill 2022 provides for the establishment of a Family High Court, Family Circuit Court and Family District Court as divisions within the existing court structures. The aim is the development

Professor Laurent Pech considers the future of the rule of law in the EU. The history of the rule of law in EU law has been one of gradual process of formal Treaty enshrinement followed by the swift development of the EU’s “rule of law toolbox” in response to unexpected backsliding

Fieldfisher associate Hannah Unger and solicitor Dearbhla Walsh propose reforms to Irish dog breeding legislation. As Christmas draws closer and people across Ireland consider whether a puppy could be the perfect gift, it is important to take a moment and consider whether this is a right decision to