Northern Ireland

All criminal prosecutions linked to killings during the Troubles would be brought to an end under deeply controversial proposals announced by the UK government yesterday. Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis yesterday told MPs that the government wants to introduce a "statute of limitations, to

Matthew Howse, partner at Eversheds Sutherland in Belfast, considers whether resort to litigation will become more common again as we move into the post-Covid world. Back in March 2020, the pandemic brought a halt to all but the most urgent legal proceedings in the Northern Irish courts. Courts had

The former British soldier charged with the murder of James Wray and William McKinney, and the attempted murders of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon and Patrick O’Donnell, has been named in Westminster.

Action is needed to help the Fine Collection and Enforcement Service (FCS) collect unpaid fines and deal with historic debts, according to a new report. An inspection report by Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland (CJINI) examined the arrangements in place to take enforcement action whe

The Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) has announced that contact will be allowed between parents and children under 11 during prison visits from 19 July. Director general of NIPS, Ronnie Armour, said: "The re-introduction of contact between parents and children under 11 during visits is an impo

A dispute over a Pride poster in the workplace, which led to a complaint of harassment on the grounds of sexual orientation, has been settled with the help of the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland (ECNI). The incident resulted in Rory Harbinson taking a case against his employer, Belfast

An application by prosecutors to withdraw proceedings against the former British soldier known as "Soldier F" has been adjourned until October. Soldier F was charged in March 2019 with the murder of James Wray and William McKinney, and the attempted murders of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon

A consultation has been launched seeking views on possible legislation to require all compensation settlements to children for personal injuries to be approved by a court. Currently in Northern Ireland, only those compensation settlements for a child which are agreed during legal proceedings must be

Plaintiff personal injury firm JMK Solicitors has successfully trialled a new initiative to securely share documents with defendant law firms. The firm's secure document sharing portal aims to create greater efficiencies in the handling of litigation and help to reduce the risks of data breaches.

A new public consultation is seeking views on how the criminal justice system should treat cases of non-fatal strangulation. Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland (CJINI) recommended in June 2019 that the Department of Justice should review how potential inadequacies in current legislation re

Law Centre NI has been recognised for its work in ensuring access to justice for all with an award at the UK-wide Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards (LALYs). The Law Centre won the Regional Legal Aim Firm/Not-for-Profit Agency category. It was nominated alongside the Family Law Company in Exeter an

A draft policy on the use of restrictive practices, restraint and seclusion in health and social care settings has gone out to consultation. The 91-page draft document aims to minimise the use of restrictive practices and has been drawn up in conjunction with both service users and health profession

International law firm DAC Beachcroft has announced the promotion of Catriona McCorry to partner in the firm's Belfast office. The move forms part of a global round involving the appointment of 16 new partners, seven new legal directors, 30 new senior associates and eight new associates.

The family of a loyalist shot dead in 1991 have launched civil proceedings against Libya over its supply of weapons to the Provisional IRA. Belfast firm KRW LAW LLP has been instructed to act on behalf of the family of William Kingsberry Snr, who was shot at his home in Belfast in November 1991 alon

The Private Tenancies Bill was introduced to the Assembly yesterday with aims of improving protections for tenants living in the private rented sector. Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey said: "I am putting the needs of tenants at the heart of my approach. Private renters should have access to a go