News

Jo-Anne Dobson MLA A private member's bill that would introduce a "soft opt-out" system for organ donation in Northern Ireland has passed its first hurdle in Stormont.

The Wilson doctrine protecting MPs from surveillance is a "political statement" with no legal effect, the Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT) has ruled. The tribunal said it was satisfied that assurances given around the surveillance of MPs by prime minister Harold Wilson in the 1960s, which have be

Lord Justice Leveson, president of the Queen's Bench Division Using quotas to boost the number of women and ethnic minority members of the judiciary would be the "antithesis of appointment on merit", a senior UK judge has said.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) has warned UK internet users to protect themselves against a significant strain of malicious software which has enabled criminals to steal millions of pounds from UK bank accounts. Dridex malware, also known as Bugat and Cridex, has been developed by technically skill

A man who was caught with almost €3,000 worth of cocaine a decade ago has been told he can avoid a conviction by making a charitable donation. Rory Linnane, 36, returned from Australia to face the long-standing charges at Tallaght District Court after contacting a solicitor's firm in Dublin.

A television producer has been awarded “substantial damages” after a cable TV channel was held to be in “breach of contract” following a dispute involving singer and reality show star Peter Andre. A judge at the High Court in London ruled that ITV2 “wrongfully terminated” a production ag

Delays in bringing cases to court are leading judges to grant bail more frequently, a senior lawyer has said. Feargal Kavanagh SC, who specialises in criminal law, told the Irish Times that judges may be too uncomfortable refusing bail in cases which may not be heard for some time.

Arleen Elliott, president of the Law Society The Law Society of Northern Ireland has urged members of the public to stay vigilant following reports of fraudsters targeting solicitor firms and their clients.

Forensic accountants Harbinson Mulholland have announced an upcoming seminar providing critical insight into key areas of financial crime. The free Black Holes and Red Flags event is essential for anyone involved in the prosecution or defence of cases with POCA implications, organisers say.

Four women are launching High Court proceedings against the State after being refused access to a compensation scheme for Magdalene laundry survivors. The women claim they were used as forced labour in St Mary's Refuge Magdalene Laundry, but have been excluded from the redress scheme set up in 2013

Clare Bailey, deputy leader of the Green Party in Northern Ireland Northern Ireland's lifetime ban on blood donations from men who have sex with men (MSM) is being re-examined in the Northern Ireland Appeal Court.

Seán FitzPatrick The former chairman of Anglo Irish Bank will go on trial for alleged breaches of the Companies Act 1990 in May 2016, a judge has confirmed.

Northern Ireland secretary Theresa Villiers A report on the status of paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland, commissioned by the UK government, is due to be presented to political parties on Thursday.

Karl Andree The children of a 74-year-old Briton who is to be given 350 lashes in Saudi Arabia as punishment for having homemade wine have appealed to the Prime Minister, David Cameron, to save him.

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, minister for new communities, culture, equality and drugs The Department of Justice and Equality (DJE) has called for written submissions to help shape a major human rights report to be submitted to the United Nations (UN) next year.