News

Intellectual property firm Murgitroyd has appointed Barry Moore as managing director of its patent practice. Mr Moore joined Murgitroyd in 2021 following the acquisition of Hanna Moore & Curley, the firm he co-founded and helped to build into a respected patents practice.

Infrastructure projects and programmes designated as "critical" will be fast-tracked through the approval process under legislative plans announced by the government. The general scheme of the Critical Infrastructure Bill proposes to allow the government to make such a designation, subject to D&aacu

Northern Ireland firm Cleaver Fulton Rankin has welcomed Rebecca O'Flaherty as an associate director and Aisling Park as a paralegal. Ms O'Flaherty joins the firm's banking and finance team, bringing extensive experience advising clients across a broad range of sectors on complex corporate transacti

Kane Tuohy LLP has promoted Kate Marquis to partner in the firm’s real estate team. Ms Marquis has played a key role in advising a broad range of clients including developers, social housing investors and lenders on complex acquisitions, disposals, development projects and asset management mat

Judge Hugh Mercer KC has been appointed as vice-president of the Irish Centre for European Law (ICEL). The UK judge on the European Court of Human Rights is now a member of the centre's advisory council, which meets twice yearly to advise its board on legal education in European human rights law and

A camel beauty contest in Oman has become the latest to be rocked by a plastic surgery scandal. Organisers of the 2026 Camel Beauty Show Festival in Al Musannah in February say they disqualified a total of 20 camels who received cosmetic enhancements including lip fillers and Botox injections.

The Belfast Solicitors' Association (BSA) has named WAVE Trauma Centre as its charity partner for 2026. WAVE Trauma Centre is a leading Northern Ireland charity providing care and support to individuals and families bereaved, injured or traumatised as a result of the Troubles.

Gabriel Makhlouf is set to continue as Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland for a further seven-year term. Mr Makhlouf took up the position on 1 September 2019 and will began his second term on 1 September 2026.

A&L Goodbody has been recognised for its commitment to supporting sustainable, active and low-carbon commuting. The firm has been awarded the Smarter Travel Mark Silver level by the National Transport Authority (NTA).

Two lay members have been appointed to the Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission (NIJAC). Deirdre Toner and Mark Mitchell have been appointed for a four-year term until 24 February 2030.

Significant legislation on sentencing has been introduced to the Northern Ireland Assembly. The Sentencing Bill will increase the maximum sentences for a number of offences while also introducing a new framework for hate crime.

Former solicitor Jenny Fisher has been appointed to the board of St James's Hospital. She will serve until 16 February 2023 on the board of Ireland’s largest acute academic teaching hospital, based in Dublin’s south inner city.

New restrictions on the sale and advertising of nicotine pouches are to be introduced. The Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill 2026 will prohibit the sale of nicotine consumption products, such as pouches, to under-18s.

Remy Farrell SC is to facilitate a scoping exercise taking place ahead of a statutory public inquiry into spina bifida and complex scoliosis services. The scoping exercise, beginning today and running for 16 weeks, will inform the terms of reference and potential structure of the planned inquiry.

Lorcan Staines SC has been appointed to facilitate a scoping exercise ahead of a public inquiry into the abuse carried out by former surgeon Michael Shine. To date, more than 390 men have made allegations of abuse against the now disgraced doctor, who has served a prison sentence for sexually abusin