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The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission has welcomed the start of an open process for eight upcoming appointments to the Commission. The human rights watchdog had earlier called on the Government to ensure the process is carried out in line with international standards for an open and transpa

Bars and law societies across Europe are today highlighting the importance of criminal legal aid in ensuring access to justice as part of European Lawyers' Day 2019. The fifth annual European Lawyers' Day, an initiative of the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE), is also highlighting

The Bar of Northern Ireland has announced the launch of a new mobile app designed to meet the needs of busy practitioners. The "Bar of NI" app provides easy and portable access to a range of useful information, resources and services at the touch of a button from a mobile device.

The first person to die in John St. John Long’s care was Ms Catherine Cashin. Ms Cashin was 24 years old when she arrived in London in August 1830 with her mother, Lady Cashin, and younger sister, Ellen. Lady Cashin went to Long seeking a cure for Ellen who was reported to have tuberculosis; h

A group of sex offenders are suing a police department for putting "No Trick-or-Treat" signs outside their homes in the run-up to Halloween. Lawyers for over 200 sex offenders have claimed that the practice – introduced last year in Butts County in the US state of Georgia – violates thei

The president of the High Court, Mr Justice Peter Kelly, has determined that a hospital can proceed with intensive curative intent treatment recommended by the consultant oncologist in charge of treating a five-year-old boy with very high-risk neuroblastoma. Describing the case as “harrow

The Government has come under increasing pressure to progress legislation and funding to deliver a major overhaul of the family law system. In a report published today, the Oireachtas justice committee has called for the Government to give urgent priority to promised legislation for the establishmen

Dublin firm Sherwin O'Riordan will provide a legal advisory service to over 2,000 retailers under a new partnership with Retail Excellence Ireland.

Naas solicitor Luke Hanahoe has been elected president of County Kildare Chamber, the business organisation representing over 400 companies in the county. Mr Hanahoe, managing partner and head of litigation at Hanahoe & Hanahoe Solicitors, is a long-serving member of the Chamber and a committee

Legislation to reduce the minimum period that couples seeking a divorce are required to live apart has passed all stages in the Oireachtas. The Family Law Bill 2019 was introduced following the May referendum in which the Government’s proposal to amend Articles 41.3.2 and 41.3.3 of the Constit

Ministers have launched a public consultation on proposed changes to Ireland's hate speech laws. The consultation, which will run until 13 December 2019, has been described as the "first phase" of a wider update of criminal law on hate speech and hate crime.

The human rights watchdogs north and south of the border have met to review human rights issues on the island of Ireland in light of recent Brexit proceedings. Representatives of the joint committee of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission me

A senior legal academic has called on Queen's University Belfast to make a "full public apology" over its historical involvement in electrical aversion therapy for gay men. Professor Phil Scraton, emeritus professor in QUB School of Law, said the university's response to revelations over its involve

Major reform is required to the justice system and devolution framework in Wales, a major review led by the former Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, has concluded. The current split of responsibilities between Westminster and Cardiff has "created pointless complexity,

A new £54 million accommodation block at Maghaberry Prison has been officially opened. Davis House is the largest capital build undertaken by the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) in over 30 years and the largest within the Department of Justice since its establishment in 2010.