Lawyers' Safety And Wellbeing

Working hours at Belfast and Newry firm JMK Solicitors have been reduced by a fifth, with no loss in pay, as part of an ongoing project to improve "work-life balance". The personal injury and road traffic accident specialist firm said its 60 staff members now have the option of working for four days

Belfast solicitor Michael Brentnall has been warned for the third time in eight months that he is in "imminent" danger of attack, according to reports. Mr Brentnall, of human rights law firm Brentnall Limited, was told by the PSNI on Wednesday that his home and business are in danger, The Irish News

Legal mental health charity LawCare has released data on all COVID-19 related contacts it has received to date for Mental Health Awareness Week. Forty-eight legal professionals have contacted the charity with issues related to COVID-19 since 10 March, making up over a third (37 per cent) of all cont

Criminal defence solicitors have been invited to complete a survey on their experiences in Garda stations during the COVID-19 crisis. The online survey has been created by Shalom Binchy & Co. Solicitors to inform an evidence-based submission to the Law Society of Ireland and An Garda Síoc

A large crowd of people who attended the Four Courts yesterday for the beginning of a legal challenge against COVID-19 restrictions "endangered themselves, gardaí, court staff and court users", the Courts Service has said. In a statement issued after the High Court hearing, the service said i

The Law Society of Ireland has launched a new mental health service designed to support solicitors. LegalMind is an independent, low-cost mental health service accessible to solicitors and their dependants across Ireland at any time of the day or night, provided on a confidential basis.

The Courts Service of Ireland has said it has "no current plans to cancel court sittings" because of coronavirus, but is keeping contingency plans under constant review. Additional sanitisation of public offices and courtrooms has been arranged and hygiene supplies for public offices and hand saniti

The observation post at Omagh Courthouse has been removed but there are no plans to do away with its controversial wire meshing and grills, Justice Minister Naomi Long has said. There have been various calls in recent years for the courthouse to be "normalised" by removing Troubles-era security meas

A High Court action by a German human rights lawyer against Google over what he claims are several attempts by parties based in the Middle East to hack his private email account has been adjourned generally. Mark Somos claims that, in recent weeks and months, he has been subject of attempts to unlaw

A human rights lawyer from Germany who says that hackers in the Middle East are trying to unlawfully access his email has launched proceedings against Google in the Irish courts. Mark Somos is seeking orders that Google Ireland must assist him and his lawyers in identifying the parties allegedly att

Security concerns have been raised at a €35 million courthouse opened in Cork just last year after a woman admitted bringing a claw hammer into the building to intimidate someone. Julianne O'Farrell, 27, pleaded guilty to possessing a claw hammer in a public place with intent to cause injury, i

The Law Society of Northern Ireland hosted an early morning pilates class yesterday to mark World Mental Health Day.

Mental health experts will discuss the importance of mindfulness in improving general mental health and productivity at a conference organised by the Law Society's younger members committee later today. The conference, organised in partnership with Law Society Finuas Skillnet, is one of a series of

The Law Society of Ireland has announced the launch of a new initiative designed to promote wellbeing in the solicitors' profession in Ireland. Independent research recently commissioned by the Law Society revealed that 57 per cent of solicitors frequently experience very high or extreme levels of s

Barrister Jolyon Maugham QC, who has played a key role in Brexit litigation over the past three years, has revealed that he bought a stab vest following threats against his life. Mr Maugham said he was advised by the elected police and crime commissioner in his area to take measures to protect his o