Northern Ireland

The Northern Ireland Assembly has again voted in favour of a "progressive smoking ban" despite continued uncertainty over its compatibility with post-Brexit rules. MLAs yesterday passed a legislative consent motion backing Northern Ireland's inclusion in the UK government's Tobacco and Vapes Bill, w

A first-of-its-kind book on Youth Court practice in Northern Ireland has been launched by the Law Society of Northern Ireland. Authors Séamus McIlroy BL and John Mackell BL were joined by family, colleagues and members of the judiciary at an official launch event at Law Society House last wee

Belfast firm RP Crawford Solicitors has welcomed new solicitor Emily Dickson and three new paralegals. The new appointments follow the firm's recent expansion into new offices at No. 15 Stranmillis Road in Belfast's Queen's Quarter.

A new research report on the extent and impact of childhood trauma in Northern Ireland has been launched by justice minister Naomi Long. Researchers at Queen's University Belfast have carried out the first comprehensive assessment of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among Northern Ireland's adul

Lewis Silkin has appointed Emma Wightman as a senior associate and Megan Kerr as an associate in its Belfast office. Ms Wightman brings extensive expertise and experience as a commercial litigator in managing complex legal cases and providing strategic counsel to a diverse range of business clients.

Northern Ireland’s Coroner’s Court has determined that the 1992 shooting by British soldiers of four men at Clonoe Chapel was not justified in circumstances where no honest belief was held that lethal force was necessary. Delivering judgment for the High Court, Mr Justice Michael Humphre

Ulster University students Conán McGowan and Níall McGrattan have triumphed in the 2025 Northern Ireland regional heat of the Client Consultation Competition. The Law Society of Northern Ireland hosted the contest, which focused on consumer contracts, at Law Society House in Belfast on

Children in Northern Ireland can now avail of an innovative pilot scheme which helps victims of serious sexual offences to navigate the criminal justice system. The children's sexual offences legal adviser (CSOLA) scheme, delivered by Victim Support NI, was launched by justice minister Naomi Long ye

Belfast-based O'Reilly Stewart Solicitors has named Stuart Gilmore as its new managing director and welcomed Aine Tyrrell as a partner in its healthcare department. Mr Gilmore, a solicitor with almost 30 years' experience, has been a partner within the practice since 2012.

Northern Ireland's High Court has reserved judgment on an application for judicial review brought over the Executive's failure to adopt an anti-poverty strategy. The Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ) brought the legal proceedings with support from Public Interest Litigation Support (P

Child complainants in serious sexual offence cases in Northern Ireland will soon be able to avail of free independent legal advice, justice minister Naomi Long has indicated. A children's version of the sexual offences legal advisers (SOLA) pilot was originally expected to be launched in January 202

Belfast-based O'Reilly Stewart Solicitors has named Northern Ireland Hospice as its charity partner for 2025.

Proposals to increase criminal and civil legal aid fees in Northern Ireland by 16 per cent have been put out to consultation. The public consultation, which opened last week, will run until 27 March 2025 — and the proposed increase remains "subject to business case approval by the Department o

Northern Ireland's justice minister has said striking criminal barristers are not "suffering" and must be prepared to meet her halfway following an extension of their withdrawal of services. In a statement yesterday evening, Naomi Long said she was "hugely disappointed" that the Criminal Bar Associa

Northern Ireland firm Carson McDowell has donated £15,000 to the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust (KBRT), its chosen charity for 2024.