News

Landmark new hate crime legislation will not now require proof of a defendant's motivation for committing an offence, the justice minister has announced. Helen McEntee said the Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Crime) Bill 2022 would now include an objective "demonstration

Sir Declan Morgan QC PC, the former lord chief justice of Northern Ireland, is chairing an Independent Commission on Counter-terrorism Law, Policy and Practice which will examine the impact of current counter-terrorism laws. The commission has launched its public call for evidence and will also call

Four former executives of the operator of the Fukushima nuclear power plant have been found liable for a record 13 trillion yen (€93.5bn; £81.4bn) in damages over the reactor's meltdown in 2011 after it was struck by a tsunami. The case marks the first time individuals have been found gui

There is an urgent need for the UK and its allies like the USA and Australia to give clearer information about how they would respond in self-defence to ‘imminent’ armed attacks, a new study says. This is because the UN Charter requires countries to establish that they have been a victim

A robber who wrote his name and address on the back of a stolen scratch card before handing it in has been jailed. Wayne Sullivan, 38, was caught three days after raiding a shop when he claimed a €5,000 prize three days later, the Irish Independent reports.

Pinsent Masons has announced that Andrew Masraf will succeed Richard Foley as the firm’s senior partner on 1 October 2022. During his 28 years at the firm, Mr Masraf has held a number of leadership roles including global head of corporate and, more recently global head of the firm’s tran

A new podcast series launched by students from the Irish Centre for Human Rights in NUI Galway aims to promote awareness of human rights violations perpetrated against women and children in Ireland's institutions in the 20th century. The five-episode series titled "My Country is My Prison" has been

A first-of-its-kind summer festival has put the spotlight on how and why legal tech and legal operations are transforming in-house legal practice in Ireland. Hosted by Irish Tech General Counsel (ITGC), the free Legal TechOps Ireland event last Wednesday featured speakers including Alex Kelly, co-fo

Tributes have been paid to Ms Justice Mary Irvine on the occasion of her retirement as president of the High Court. Attorney General Paul Gallagher SC, Bar Council chairperson Maura McNally SC and Law Society president Michelle Ní Longáin were among those who spoke during the judge's f

Irish lawyer Niamh McMahon has taken up a new role with Caymans firm Nelsons after calling to the islands' bar. Ms McMahon, a specialist in insurance defence litigation, practised as a solicitor in Ireland for over six years, latterly at DAC Beachcroft, before joining Nelsons. She is also admitted t

A yoga teacher has been arrested for "illegal missionary activity" under Russia's new anti-terrorism laws. Dmitry Ugay, 44, was arrested after giving a talk about the philosophy of yoga at a festival in St Petersburg, The Independent reports.

Ministers have agreed to nominate barrister John Martin for appointment as a Circuit Court judge and solicitor Vincent Deane as a District Court judge. The Circuit Court vacancy arises following the retirement of Judge Petria McDonnell last month, while the vacancy on the District Court will arise f

A portrait of former Supreme Court judge Ms Justice Catherine McGuinness has been unveiled at the National Gallery of Ireland. The oil painting, commissioned by fellow members of the legal community and painted by artist Miseon Lee, is now on display in the Gallery's Room 23.

Mr Justice Frank Clarke has been appointed as president of the Law Reform Commission for a five-year term. The former chief justice, who retired last year, succeeds retired Supreme Court judge Ms Justice Mary Laffoy, who was appointed to the role in 2018.

Judge Seamus Hughes, a sitting District Court judge in Counties Longford and Westmeath, has passed away at the age of 69. A former Fianna Fáil TD and county councillor, Judge Hughes was due to retire from the bench on his 70th birthday next month.