Northern Ireland

A pilot scheme providing free independent legal advice to complainants in serious sexual offence cases in Northern Ireland has been extended for a further year until March 2025. The Department of Justice launched the pilot scheme in April 2021, less than a year before the collapse of the Northern Ir

Trainee solicitors at the Institute of Professional Legal Studies (IPLS) in Belfast have won the UK Student Mediation Competition 2024.

Belfast-based HHD Solicitors has promoted associates Rosemary Millar and John O'Kelly to partner. Ms Millar is an experienced litigator, specialising in a wide range of personal injury matters including clinical negligence and historical abuse cases, while Mr O'Kelly's practice focuses on criminal l

Global legal business DWF has promoted Belfast lawyers Julie Galbraith and Orla Hanna as part of its annual promotions round. Ms Galbraith, a partner in the real estate department and head of the Belfast office, has been promoted to a higher career level within the partnership structure.

Northern Ireland's justice minister Naomi Long has said she is "open to a discussion" on the broadcasting of court proceedings following the announcement of a pilot scheme. The Lady Chief Justice, Dame Siobhan Keegan, last week announced plans to let broadcasters film, but not air, the handing-down

Gateley Legal has appointed corporate finance expert Jose Lazaro as an associate in its Belfast office. Mr Lazaro, who is qualified in Spain, Northern Ireland, Ireland and England and Wales, has extensive domestic and cross-border experience in corporate, finance and commercial law, including merger

Broadcasters will be allowed to film — but not air — the handing-down of judgments in Northern Ireland's Court of Appeal as part of a pilot programme commencing today. While there is a long-standing prohibition on the filming of court proceedings in Northern Ireland under law, the Lady C

JMK Solicitors has successfully appealed a decision of the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB) on behalf of a 20-year-old woman who was seriously injured after a road traffic accident in Downpatrick. The woman was the driver and sole occupant of her car and was on her way to work when she lost control on a

An independent working group has been established to review the Law Society of Northern Ireland's handling of the trainee pay issue which threatens to leave some firms out of pocket to the tune of tens of thousands of pounds. A special general meeting taking place in Law Society House yesterday hear

Johnsons Solicitors has presented a cheque for £2,300 to Belfast Samaritans after taking part in the charity's Christmas appeal.

A vigil marking the 35th anniversary of the killing of human rights lawyer Pat Finucane is set to take place this Sunday. The gathering at Fortwilliam Drive/Antrim Road this Sunday 11 February at 7pm has been organised by campaign group Relatives for Justice.

Northern Ireland's prison service is facing a judicial review over its practice of monitoring prisoners' Zoom calls. Owen Beattie & Co Solicitors is acting on behalf of Nigel Lundy, previously known as Nigel Brown, who claims the surveillance of his calls to family from Maghaberry breaches his r

Northern Ireland firm Carson McDowell has presented a £16,000 cheque to Air Ambulance Northern Ireland following a year of fundraising. Air Ambulance NI, the firm's 2023 charity partner, works in partnership with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service to provide emergency and lifesaving helico

Naomi Long has been re-elected as justice minister for Northern Ireland. Mrs Long, who previously held the justice portfolio from January 2020 to October 2022, was elected on a cross-community vote in the Northern Ireland Assembly on Saturday. Only one MLA opposed her appointment.

Criminology lecturer Dr Jonny Byrne has been appointed as Northern Ireland's independent reviewer of justice and security and of national security arrangements. The role of the independent reviewer of justice and security is set out within the Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Act 2007. The re