Coronavirus

Directors across the UK are asking the government for a temporary indemnity which allows them to keep technically insolvent firms in operation during the coronavirus pandemic without fear of legal action. Under current legislation, company boards can be sued for failing to wind up a company if it is

William Fry associate Sarah Plunkett explores the opportunities of using technology to maintain business continuity in the Irish courts during the coronavirus pandemic. The effects of the current outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) have already caused an extensive impact on global economic and social

As we enter the darkest days we have faced since World War Two, the thoughts of the team at Irish Legal News are with our readers and their families – but also with the many law firms which have only recently recovered from the crash of 2008 and its consequences. They now face an even greater

A leading childcare lawyer has paid tribute to legal professionals and courts staff for being "responsible and responsive" in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. Gareth Noble, partner at KOD Lyons, told Irish Legal News that new court policies and practice directions introduced in recent days "hav

All court business in Northern Ireland will be consolidated in five courthouses with effect from tomorrow, the Lord Chief Justice, Sir Declan Morgan, has announced. The move follows previous measures announced to slow the spread of coronavirus during the global COVID-19 pandemic and will see only ur

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) has said it will closely monitor the Government's use of new emergency powers introduced to tackle the coronavirus pandemic. In a statement yesterday, the rights group said new restrictions on non-essential services and outside gatherings were "necessary

Written court judgments will be delivered by email instead of being handed down in court under new measures to tackle the coronavirus outbreak. In a statement this morning, the Courts Service of Ireland said the move had been agreed by the Chief Justice and the presidents of each court jurisdiction

Additional measures to prevent crowding in the Criminal Courts of Justice have been announced after "a glitch in the situation" yesterday. There was unexpected crowding in the courts yesterday morning due to "an unexpected emergency application", a Courts Service spokesperson said.

The UK Supreme Court (UKSC) and Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC) will hear all cases and deliver judgments through video conferencing from today. The UKSC and JCPC are adjusting working practices to ensure that the courts can continue to function, whilst taking appropriate steps to com

Ronan Daly Jermyn partner Ashling Walsh, solicitor Michael Quinlan and trainee Mark Costello take a look at the examinership process as a potentially important restructuring tool for companies in Ireland weathering the current COVID-19 storm. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the introduction

Irish trainee solicitors are set to compete in a "virtual moot" following the cancellation of the international rounds of the Price Moot Court Competition 2020. The annual competition, organised by the Bonavero Institute of Human Rights at the University of Oxford since 2017, challenges students on

Sarah O'Mahony, associate in the real estate team at William Fry, explores the challenges ahead for landlords and tenants of commercial property. As a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, landlords and tenants of commercial property have had cause to closely consider their respective obligations under a

A Cork barrister who tested positive for coronavirus is recovering at home after three days in hospital. Kieran Hughes, 65, was contacted by the HSE and tested after coming into contact with someone confirmed as having COVID-19.

Guidance on virtual court etiquette in England and Wales has been issued by a judge. Lord Justice Fulford, Vice President of the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division), has outlined the default position for hearings conducted online during the coronavirus pandemic.

The UK government's reaction to the coronavirus pandemic should be investigated after the emergency has abated but any legal action brought against it will face "high hurdles", lawyers have told our sister publication Scottish Legal News. Boris Johnson's government is widely believed to ha