News

Partners at Hogan Lovells and Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft have voted in favour of what has been described as the largest law firm combination in history. Hogan Lovells Cadwalader will have annual revenue of more than $3.6 billion and a team of 3,100 lawyers across 18 countries, becoming one of

Police have made several arrests amid allegations of "genital theft" which have led to assaults, theft and destruction of property. At least 10 people have been detained in connection with the rumours sweeping Zanzibar's Mjini Magharibi region, according to Tanzanian news website The Citizen.

A&L Goodbody was sole legal adviser to Permanent TSB Group Holdings plc on a recommended cash offer of around €1.62bn from pan-European and US banking group BAWAG. The offer followed PTSB's formal sales process, which was announced at the end of October 2025.

Privacy campaigners have suggested that reported government plans to expand the Public Services Card (PSC) into a form of national ID card will "compound the legal issues with the card rather than resolving them". According to media reports, government ministers have discussed using the Social Welfa

The Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA) has welcomed progress on the implementation of recommendations to address barriers facing aspiring and early career solicitors and barristers. Developments include expanded training routes, increased financial supports and diversity initiatives are set

Great Britain's Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has updated its guidance on implementing a UK Supreme Court ruling on gender, following government requests to amend draft proposals submitted last year. The EHRC said it had revised the code of practice after receiving ministerial feedback

Coyne Solicitors has acquired and incorporated fellow Lucan-based practice Declan J O'Connell & Co Solicitors. As of Monday, the firm is now trading as Coyne Solicitors incorporating Declan J O’Connell & Co Solicitors.

William Fry is advising the State on the sale of its latest remaining shareholding in an Irish bank, expected to net €931 million for the State. Austrian bank BAWAG P.S.K. is proposing to acquire the entire issued share capital of Permanent TSB Group Holdings plc for €1.6 billion.

JMK Solicitors has been ranked as Northern Ireland's most active personal injury law firm for a 12th consecutive year. The latest figures from the compensation recovery unit (CRU) within the Department for Communities show that JMK managed 2,414 cases in 2025, more than any other firm.

Legislation declaring the prehistoric megalodon as the official "state shark" has been passed in the US state of Maryland. Many US states have state symbols such as an official flower, bird or tree – but Maryland is the first state to designate a state shark.

Doncha O'Sullivan has been appointed as secretary general of the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration. Mr O'Sullivan will succeed Oonah McPhillips, who is retiring after a 41-year career, with effect from Monday 20 April 2026.

Ireland's professional tanning industry has pushed back against proposals to completely ban commercial sunbeds. An expert working group established by the government recommended an all-out ban in a 70-page report published last month.

The final deadline to enter the 2026 LEAP Irish Law Awards is this Friday, 17th April.

More than 760 complaints and queries have been handled over the past two years by a dental mediation service supported by the Irish Dental Association. The independent, confidential Dental Complaints Resolution Service (DCRS) managed 398 cases in 2024 and 365 in 2025, according to its latest annual

Irish barrister Anthony Whelan has been appointed to lead the EU's directorate-general for competition. Mr Whelan, currently deputy director-general for State aid policy within the directorate-general for competition (DG COMP), will soon take on the role of director-general.