Northern Ireland

A new project examining perspectives on the Good Friday Agreement has been launched by the UCL Constitution Unit. The project, funded by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust, will be led by Dr Alan Renwick, the unit's deputy director who previously chaired the Working Group on Unification Referendum

The Court of Appeal of Northern Ireland has dismissed an appeal from the Department of Justice against a finding that it had discriminated against a female employee on the grounds of sex. The claimant alleged that she had been employed with the DOJ and had intermittently performed the functions of a

A pared-back bill to update the law on sexual offending in Northern Ireland has been introduced to the Northern Ireland Assembly. The Justice (Sexual Offences and Trafficking Victims) Bill is focused on enhancing public safety and improving services for victims of trafficking and exploitation.

Legislation providing for a "soft opt-out" system of organ and tissue donation in Northern Ireland has been introduced to Stormont. Under the Organ and Tissue Donation (Deemed Consent) Bill, it is considered that everyone would be willing to donate their organs unless they have formally opted out or

A prisoner in HMP Maghaberry has launched a judicial review of the ban on sexual contact between inmates and the restriction on access to condoms in the prison. The anonymous inmate's challenge against the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) is believed to be the first of its kind and allege

Dame Brenda King's appointment as Attorney General for Northern Ireland has been extended for a year. She was appointed to the role on an "interim basis" last July, succeeding John Larkin QC after 10 years in the post.

The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) is facing a judicial review after today's collapse of the trials of two former British soldiers facing Troubles-era murder charges. The PPS announced today that it would discontinue the prosecutions of the former British soldiers known only as "Soldier F" and "So

The High Court has dismissed two legal challenges brought by several high-profile unionist politicians to the EU Withdrawal Protocol and the Withdrawal Acts and Regulations. The applicants claimed that Northern Ireland had been placed on a different constitutional footing than the other parts of the

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