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Scottish defence lawyers are preparing to boycott a controversial pilot scheme for juryless rape trials. The plans, which have been advanced for a number of years, would see juries removed from rape and sexual offence trials on the basis that the conviction rate for such crimes is artificially low.

Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) is set to host ‘Legal Tech and the Rule of Law’, a conference exploring the transformative impact of technology on legal practice and academia, on 12 February 2024, at its Athlone campus. The annual conference, now in its third year, offers a

HR professional Audrey Cahill has been appointed as director-general of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). Ms Cahill, who previously served as a WRC board member from 2015 to 2021, has over 20 years' experience across all aspects of HR, particularly in the areas of strategic change and transf

Irish human rights lawyer Dr Michael O'Flaherty is among three candidates up for election today as the Council of Europe's next human rights commissioner. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, with representatives from all 46 nations, will make its decision during its winter plenary s

A teenager has been arrested on suspicion of taping dead fish to more than a dozen ATMs over a two-month period. Police believe the 17-year-old is the prankster responsible for running an Instagram account named "fish_bandit84", which shared photos of the bizarre deeds with tens of thousands of foll

Human rights lawyer Les Allamby has been appointed to the UK government's Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC). Mr Allamby, a solicitor who has previously served as director of Law Centre NI and chief commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC), is one of six new appoin

Almost three-quarters of people in the State think social media algorithms should be more strictly regulated, according to research commissioned by the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) and Uplift. A new poll shows that 74 per cent want more regulation while 82 per cent are in favour of socia

Anna Thompson and Katie Kennedy from the Institute of Professional Legal Studies (IPLS) have won the Northern Ireland regional heat of the 2024 Client Consultation Competition. The pair, coached by Stuart Harper, went head-to-head with Erika Lim and Amy Hanna from Queen's University Belfast, coached

Pop star Madonna is being sued by two concertgoers because she started her show two hours late. New York City men Michael Fellows and Jonathan Hadden bought tickets for Madonna's show last month. It was due to begin at 8.30pm, but Madonna did not take to the stage until after 10.45pm.

Three men who were victims of IRA bombings can sue Gerry Adams in a personal capacity, a judge in the English High Court has ruled. Mr Justice Soole ruled that the victims would not be able to sue the IRA itself or the former Sinn Féin leader as its “representative” but that perso

Matheson partner Joe Beashel has been appointed as head of the Irish law firm's London office. As well as leading the 25-strong London team, which includes seven partners, Mr Beashel will continue to work as a partner in the Financial Institutions Group and to service his existing Ireland- and UK-ba

Professor Fionnuala Ní Aoláin has been appointed as an honorary King's Counsel in recognition of her contribution to the law. A professor of law at Queen's University Belfast, she was nominated for her work in advising the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and civil society, inf

Stealing a dog or a cat is to become a specific criminal offence in Northern Ireland under plans backed by the UK government. The Pet Abduction Bill, a private member's bill introduced at Westminster by Southend West MP Anna Firth and now formally backed by government ministers, proposes to create a

Trade union law firm Thompsons Solicitors Northern Ireland has announced the formation of a new employment law team led by Carol McClean.

The Times has published an obituary of Sir Michael Nicholson, the Northern Ireland judge who passed away in October last year. Sir Michael, who was 90, took silk in 1971 and was first appointed as a deputy County Court judge in 1983. He was later appointed as a High Court judge in 1986 and elevated