Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland’s legal profession has paid tribute to Sir Declan Morgan, who has retired as Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland. Rowan White, president of the Law Society of Northern Ireland, and Bernard Brady QC, chair of the Bar of Northern Ireland, have both marked Sir Declan’s r

Some lawyers may have lost access to case information after Northern Ireland's legal aid agency inadvertently closed the deadline for re-registration on its digital case management system a day early. The Legal Services Agency Northern Ireland had told practitioners in May that they had until 30 Jun

Insurance risk and commercial law firm BLM, which employs around 60 people in Belfast, has signed up to a flexible working charter launched by the Association of British Insurers (ABI). The ABI launched the #MakingFlexibleWork campaign earlier this year with the aim of increasing flexible working, i

Co Down firm Peter Bowles + Company Solicitors has announced the appointment of a new senior management team, as well as the launch of a brand new specialist sister company called Curran Bowles Family Law. The new company, headed up by Clare Curran, is a dedicated family law practice that will focus

Richard Greene QC has been appointed as a County Court judge in Northern Ireland. Judge Greene was sworn into office before the Lord Chief Justice, Sir Declan Morgan, on Monday.

The High Court in Belfast has rejected two high-profile legal challenges to the Northern Ireland Protocol. Mr Justice Adrian Colton today dismissed both applications for judicial review, the first brought by unionist politicians including Jim Allister and the second brought by loyalist pastor Cliffo

UK law firm TLT, which employs over 100 people at its Belfast office, has announced plans to introduce a new flexible working policy in keeping with the changes in working practices that have occurred over the past year. The firm’s approach includes three commitments: to provide more choice so

Legislation delivering the most comprehensive changes to liquor licensing laws in Northern Ireland since 1996 has been approved by MLAs. The Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Bill, which includes a number of reforms including greater flexibility for venues over opening times, was unani

Rosemary Connolly, principal solicitor at Rosemary Connolly Solicitors, Employment and Equality Lawyers, examines a significant decision in a sex discrimination claim in England. In an important decision concerning sex discrimination and flexible working, the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) in Engl

Solicitors have reported a surge in house completions in Northern Ireland as home-buyers take advantage of the stamp duty holiday, which will come to an end in September. Janet Williamson, director of commercial and property at O'Reilly Stewart Solicitors, said levels of completions "are at a point

Emergency protection for tenants having difficulty paying rent on commercial leases as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic has been extended for a further three months. Section 83 of the Coronavirus Act 2020 which was first applied at the end of March 2020, has been extended until 30 September 2021, g

The Department for the Economy (DfE) is teaming up with local company FinTrU to offer 20 training places to graduates who wish to retrain in the legal aspect of financial services. Applications have opened for the assured skills academy, which will be delivered remotely over a five-week period by Be

A consultation is seeking views on whether the maximum penalty for injuring service animals on active duty in Northern Ireland should be increased for the second time in five years. Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Edwin Poots yesterday launched a consultation on proposals to prot

Court business has resumed in Banbridge Courthouse for the first time in five years following a £140,000 refurbishment.

A much-delayed bill to improve protections for victims of sexual offences and trafficking has won Executive approval at the last possible moment – albeit with "the removal of some important clauses". Justice Minister Naomi Long has for months sought approval from the Northern Ireland Executive