Opinion

Keith Walsh SC criticises government plans to expand the jurisdiction of the District Court. The Family Courts Bill 2022 provides for the establishment of a Family High Court, Family Circuit Court and Family District Court as divisions within the existing court structures. The aim is the development

Professor Laurent Pech considers the future of the rule of law in the EU. The history of the rule of law in EU law has been one of gradual process of formal Treaty enshrinement followed by the swift development of the EU’s “rule of law toolbox” in response to unexpected backsliding

Fieldfisher associate Hannah Unger and solicitor Dearbhla Walsh propose reforms to Irish dog breeding legislation. As Christmas draws closer and people across Ireland consider whether a puppy could be the perfect gift, it is important to take a moment and consider whether this is a right decision to

In the wake of the Dublin riots, it has been interesting to observe the political responses to the scenes of violence and disorder which befell our nation’s capital. The government has been in damage control while the opposition have been circling like sharks. Everyone knows that the riots ha

Belfast solicitor Brian Speers, chair of the Law Society Mediation Service (LSMS) in Northern Ireland, writes on an important case for those interested in developments regarding mediation. On 29th November 2023, the Court of Appeal in England and Wales issued its judgment in the case of James Church

William Fry partner Leo Moore and senior associate Rachel Hayes consider a recent European judgment with significance for data anonymisation. A recent decision of the European General Court has shifted the goalposts for data anonymisation.

Seamus McGranaghan, director at O'Reilly Stewart Solicitors, considers the risks for Northern Ireland employers ahead of Christmas party season. As employees begin to look forward to Christmas parties with colleagues, the banter that goes with the festive season is usually taken as part and parcel o

In my previous life as case reporter for ILN, I had to digest some long judgments. The first decision in the landmark Covid-19 business interruption claims ran to 214 pages. The judgment in Facebook’s judicial review to the DPC’s own volition inquiry came out to 197 pages. And don’

Ukrainian lawyer Vasyl Selifonov provides an update on progress towards an International Compensation Mechanism to deal with claims against Russia for damage caused by its invasion of Ukraine. As is well-known, on 24 February 2022, the Russian Federation launched a full-scale military invasion into

Ruth A FitzGerald SC considers the application of international humanitarian law to the current conflict between Israel and Hamas. The question being considered here is as to the way fighting is being conducted between Israel and Hamas, i.e., the law of war, and not the question of the legality of w

Peter McKenna explains the significance of this year's Law Society Council elections — the first with electronic voting in place. The Law Society Council election is held every year in which 15—16 ordinary members, and two provincial delegates, are elected to serve for a two-year period.

On 8 September, Mr Justice Mark Heslin committed Enoch Burke to prison for his failure to comply with a court order restraining him from trespassing at Wilson’s Hospital School. Although Mr Burke had been ordered to stay away from his former place of work since September 2022, a permanent inj

Eversheds Sutherland partner Audrey Elliott writes on the role of immigration in growing Northern Ireland's economy. Talented people are central to the economic growth of nations, but with skill shortages biting hard immigration has become an essential part of recruitment for businesses across the U

Oisín McLoughlin, corporate partner at Ogier Leman, outlines current trends in Ireland's M&A market. Given the size of Ireland's population, the pipeline of M&A opportunities in the country remains strong. With the summer months acting as a time of preparation for investors, the senti

Felim Ó Maolmhána reflects on the law and practice of drawing constituency boundaries as Ireland's new Electoral Commission prepares to present its recommendations. The political anoraks among us love nothing more than an election — any election, absolutely anywhere. Those of us