Appointments

Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) chief Liam Herrick has been picked to head the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. Mr Herrick's selection by ministers following a public appointment process must now be approved by the Oireachtas before his formal appointment by President Michael D.

Gateley Legal NI has welcomed two newly-qualified solicitors and three new trainee solicitors. Amy McCartney has joined the firm's real estate team, advising clients on residential sales and purchases as well as banks, funders, and borrowers on all contentious and non-contentious real estate finance

Belfast law firm Millar McCall Wylie has welcomed five newly-qualified solicitors to its team. The new solicitors are Cathy Kerr in employment, Patrick Boyle in litigation, Molly Rainey in corporate law, Rachel McCullogh in commercial property and Tonya Gregg in residential property.

Former finance minister Michael McGrath is to be appointed as the new European commissioner for justice. Ursula von der Leyen today unveiled the make-up of the new European Commission, who begins a second five-year term as president.

Cantillons Solicitors has promoted Marian Fogarty, Aisling Maher and Amy Connolly to partner. The Cork-based firm poked fun at the county's long-standing sporting rivalries as it announced the summer promotions.

Dr Sarah Arduin has been appointed as assistant professor in EU law at Trinity College Dublin as a result of a partnership between the university and Matheson. Trinity and Matheson last year launched the partnership which supports Trinity Law School in the teaching and research of EU law.

Matheson partner Mairéad Ní Ghabháin has been appointed to the board of Foras na Gaeilge, the body responsible for the promotion of the Irish language throughout the island of Ireland. Her appointment, along with that of Irish language broadcaster Gemma Ní Chionnaith, was

Marc Hickey has joined HF Ireland as partner and head of commercial litigation. He will head a Dublin-based team focused on advising clients on a broad range of commercial issues including banking, shareholder, partnership and contract disputes.

Matheson has appointed Alice Duffy as partner and Rachel Barry and Jennifer Bassett as senior associates in its employment, pensions and benefits group. The firm's employment and pensions team now includes 28 specialist lawyers, including six partners and 11 senior associates.

Two law students have been chosen as Ireland's UN youth delegates for the coming year.

Donal Lunny KC has taken up office as chair of the Bar Council of Northern Ireland, supported by Denise Kiley KC as vice chair and Peter Coll KC as bursar. Mr Lunny said: "The Bar Council will seek to protect and enhance the virtues of our independence as a bar and as individual barristers and incre

Northern Ireland commercial law firm Tughans has congratulated Anna Thompson, Adam Lynch, Luke Scholfield, Lucy Scott, Lucy Dawson, Leah Harvey and Tim Carson on the completion of their training contracts.

William Fry has appointed Sean Murray as a partner in William Fry Tax Advisors. Mr Murray has over 20 years of experience in advising domestic and international clients on financial services tax matters, including investment management, structured finance, banking, capital markets and private equity

The law officers of England and Wales have been called to the Bar of Northern Ireland during a visit to Belfast. Attorney General Lord Hermer KC and Solicitor General Sarah Sackman KC MP made their first visit to Northern Ireland as law officers on Wednesday.

The newly-elected Bar Council has taken effect, with Seán Guerin SC taking over the role of chairperson from Sara Phelan SC. Mr Guerin is joined by Darren Lehane SC as vice chair and Séamus Clarke SC as treasurer, while the 25-strong Council also includes eight new first-time members: