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Scientists have been told they cannot describe the sexual reproduction of snails and worms under Russia's "LGBT propaganda" laws. Viktor Kovylin, editor of Russian scientific journal Batrachospermum, said the launch of an upcoming book on the sexual life of animals has been complicated followin

Bail is set to be refused to defendants charged with witness or juror intimidation or breaching sex offender notification requirements. The Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026 already proposes to add the offences of coercive control and forced marriage to the Schedule to

A disregard scheme for historical convictions relating to consensual same-sex activity is to be introduced following years of campaigning and debate. The application-based scheme will be introduced by way of amendments to the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026, the gover

Two men have been jailed in Scotland for contempt of court after taking a selfie in the dock and uploading it to social media. Sheriff Gary Aitken, of Inverness Sheriff Court, sentenced Christopher Branley, 35, and Scott Ross, 40, after finding their conduct showed a serious lack of respect for the

A presumption of non-disclosure in respect of counselling notes in sexual offence trials is to be introduced through legislation. Justice, home affairs and migration minister Jim O'Callaghan yesterday confirmed that the further restriction on the use of counselling notes will be introduced by way of

New prison inspection reports have exposed "seriously unsafe and unsanitary conditions that are inhuman and degrading for people in prison", penal experts have said. The Office of the Inspector of Prisons (OIP) yesterday published reports following inspections carried out in Mountjoy in April/May 20

Ireland will aim to deliver "simplification" of the Common Agricultural Policy during its upcoming EU presidency, Martin Heydon has told an event hosted by Mason Hayes & Curran. Mr Heydon, the minister for agriculture, food and the marine, highlighted pressure on EU budgets amid an increase in d

No error was made by the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service when dozens of PSNI officers and staff taking action over a 2023 data breach were again named online, the justice minister has said. An unprecedented data breach in August 2023 saw the names, roles and other personal details of a

The Irish government has set out more details about its plans to implement the EU AI Act, including through the creation of an AI Office of Ireland. The general scheme of the Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Bill 2026 was published by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment yesterd

A jury has cleared six Palestine Action activists of aggravated burglary charges linked to an attack on an Israeli-owned UK arms factory which was cited as justification for the proscription of the direct action group. Six people — Samuel Corner, 23; Charlotte Head, 29; Leona Kamio, 30; Fatema

A lawyer tasked with defending the Trump administration in court asked a federal judge to hold her in contempt "so I can get 24 hours of sleep". Julie Le, who also told the judge that her "job sucks", has since been removed from her temporary position at the US Attorney's Office for the District of

New research comparing the performance of Ireland's justice system to other jurisdictions has been published by the Law Society of Ireland's Centre for Justice and Law Reform. The inaugural Justice Indicators report uses a traffic light system to evaluate the resourcing, effectiveness, and efficienc

PSNI officers and staff affected by a major data breach in 2023 have been offered £7,500 each in compensation. The universal offer of compensation follows the allocation of £119 million by the Northern Ireland Executive to cover costs relating to the breach and litigation.

Northern Ireland's education minister has set out plans to bring religious education and collective worship in line with the law following a UK Supreme Court ruling last year. The UK's top court ruled in November 2025 that current practice in Northern Ireland schools is at odds with Article 2 of Pro

The A&O Shearman Foundation has awarded a total of more than £131,000 to 15 charities across Northern Ireland. The foundation, funded by contributions from A&O Shearman partners worldwide, supports grassroots organisations that work to advance education, improve employment opportunitie