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An online court hearing was brought to an abrupt halt after a mystery man was heard muttering "f***wit" under his breath. The unexpected expletive interrupted the defence barrister in a case being heard in the criminal division of the Supreme Court of Victoria in Australia.

McCann FitzGerald has announced the appointment of Georgina O'Riordan and Stephen FitzSimons as group leaders as it continues to grow amid increasing demand for legal services. Ms O'Riordan will lead the firm's finance group while Mr FitzSimons will lead the corporate department, both of which will

Legal experts have urged the government to clarify its relationship with NPHET and ensure democratic oversight of public health measures introduced to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic in Ireland. A comprehensive 142-page report from the Covid-19 Law and Human Rights Observatory at Trinity College Dublin

Barrister Alyson Kilpatrick has been appointed as the new chief commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC). Ms Kilpatrick, a public law specialist, will succeed Les Allamby in the leadership of the human rights watchdog with effect from 1 September 2021.

The introduction of pro bono costs orders in Northern Ireland has been identified as a priority area in a new plan for modernisation of the civil and family justice system. Justice Minister Naomi Long today published a delivery plan which sets out actions to be taken over the remainder of the curren

The Law Society of Northern Ireland has announced the appointment of Alison Grundle to a new role as head of member services. A number of new senior roles have been created by the Law Society in an effort to improve services for solicitors in Northern Ireland, according to the latest edition of The

The first prison inspection reports published since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic have warned of a "sense of complacency" in the prison service, with increased restrictions at risk of becoming "the new norm". The Office of the Inspector of Prisons yesterday published four thematic inspection re

Maynooth University Department of Law has announced the appointment of Dr Joe Garrihy as an assistant professor in criminology. Dr Garrihy previously held lectureships at Birmingham City University and the University of Winchester in the UK and at Maynooth.

A finding that the so-called "six-month rule" for terminally ill people accessing certain benefits is unlawful has been overturned by the Court of Appeal. The High Court ruled last summer that the requirement for terminally ill claimants to demonstrate that their death can reasonably be expected wit

Van Morrison has withdrawn his application for a judicial review of the "blanket ban" on live music in Northern Ireland venues during the Covid-19 pandemic. The singer-songwriter launched his legal action in January, arguing that Regulation 5 of The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regu

Further investigations should take place to assess whether lawyers involved in a recent Post Office case in the High Court may have committed professional misconduct in their handling of that case, researchers have said. The Post Office has been robustly criticised for the handling of criminal and c

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has reported a 20 per cent drop in personal data breach reports, from 11,854 in the 2019/20 financial year, down to 9,532 in the most recent financial year. These figures were published in the ICO’s annual report and analysed by the Parliament S

A dispute between neighbours over an apple tree that allegedly attracts wasps has incurred at least £200,000 in legal costs. Barbara Pilcher, who is allergic to wasps, took her neighbour Antoinette Williams to court over her alleged failure to dispose of rotting apples falling from the tree.

Global law firm DLA Piper has announced a move to new premises at 40 Molesworth Street, Dublin 2, to accommodate its growing headcount. The firm, which currently employs more than 75 people, has committed to a lease until 2037 and will move this autumn as workers return to the office.

Employment law specialist firm Lewis Silkin LLP has expanded into Northern Ireland through a partnership with Belfast-based Jones Cassidy Brett (JCB). The six-strong JCB team has been integrated into Lewis Silkin, with JCB partners Adam Brett and Ciara Fulton becoming partners of Lewis Silkin NI LLP