News

International law firm Pinsent Masons has been recognised as Northern Ireland's top employer for LGBT staff and one of the most LGBT-inclusive workplaces in the UK. The firm is ranked at number four in LGBT charity Stonewall's Top 100 Employers list, which recognises a dozen other law firms across t

First-time buyers are continuing to drive mortgage drawdown and approvals activity in Ireland, according to new figures. In the fourth quarter of 2019, there were 12,259 new mortgages worth €2,768 million drawn down, an increase of 1.2 per cent in volume and five per cent in value on the previo

Arthur Cox partners Karen Killoran and Niav O'Higgins look at a recent judgment on performance bonds, which are widely used in the construction industry as a means of protecting employers against non-performance or financial default by the contractor. If such circumstances arise, it is important tha

Ronan Daly Jermyn (RDJ) has announced a new partnership with Galway 2020, becoming the official legal partner for the European Capital of Culture in Galway. RDJ will provide pro bono legal advice and services in support of Galway’s year as European Capital of Culture, similar to its previous w

Retired solicitor Roisin Doris (née McGrath) has passed away, the Law Society of Northern Ireland has confirmed. Ms Doris was a former principal in private practice (PPP) with E&L Kennedy Solicitors in Belfast city centre.

The Irish Women Lawyers Association (IWLA) has welcomed Sarah Power, a former US ambassador to the UN, as an honorary member. The association's committee invited Ms Power to become an honorary member in recognition of "her incredible career to date and continued commitment to the pursuit of justice

Lawyers helping to raise money to tackle homelessness have been thanked for raising a "huge sum" of €165,000 for the Capuchin Day Centre. The Lawyers Against Homelessness (LAH) initiative, bringing together barristers and solicitors, was established in late 2017 and raises money for the homeles

Disabled people working in the legal profession face outmoded practices that hamper their efforts to build successful careers, according to a new study by researchers at Cardiff University. Many of the participants – drawn from across the legal profession – told researchers they hide the

A man has been jailed after brazenly smoking a joint while in the dock for alleged possession of cannabis. After delivering a polemic against the criminalisation of the drug, Spencer Boston, 20, pulled out a joint and lit it.

Dunne Stores have lost an appeal against the grant of a stay halting proceedings issued against a developer until the dispute between the parties is determined by an independent expert pursuant to the Development Agreement. Stating that Dunnes’ decision to challenge the role of the independent

OSM Partners has announced the promotion of Mary-Louise O'Hagan to senior associate in the firm's property team. Ms O'Hagan, who joined the firm in 2017, has several years’ experience in advising vendors, purchasers, receivers and companies in various property law issues, including residential

An independent regulator for adult safeguarding could be established under proposals set out by the Law Reform Commission (LRC) in a new issues paper. There is "a need for a regulatory framework for adult safeguarding that goes beyond what is currently provided through the existing regulatory bodies

The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) will be "unable to fulfil its duties" if funding cuts continue, its chief commissioner has warned. The rights watchdog is funded by the UK government through the Northern Ireland Office (NIO), but has seen its budget slashed by nearly 50 per cent

The Oireachtas justice committee's inquiry into access to justice and legal costs has lapsed as a result of the Dáil's dissolution for the general election. Rose Wall, CEO of Community Law & Mediation (CLM), gave evidence to the committee last month, calling for the expansion of civil leg

Retired Bangor solicitor Cynthia Baxter, also known as Cynthia Hopkirk, has passed away at the age of 84. Ms Baxter was admitted to the roll of solicitors in 1975 and was a partner in the Bangor office of Wilson Nesbitt until her retirement in 1992.