Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland's Public Prosecution Service (PPS) has decided not to prosecute a former police officer in connection with the fatal shooting of Colum Marks in 1991. The retired officer was reported for consideration after an investigation by the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland into the shoot

Former Banbridge solicitor Paul Downey has avoided jail after admitting he took over £70,000 from a dead client's estate to fund the running of his practice. Judge Gordon Kerr KC, sitting in Newry Crown Court, yesterday sentenced Mr Downey to 27 months' imprisonment suspended for three years,

Employment law solicitor Sarah Havlin has been appointed as chair of Northern Ireland's Industrial Court. The Industrial Court is a tribunal which adjudicates on applications about legal recognition and derecognition of trade unions for collective bargaining purposes, where such recognition or derec

Global law firm Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) has promoted Caoimhe Powell to associate director in Belfast. Ms Powell takes on overall responsibility for HSF's alternative legal services (ALT) disputes practice across the UK, US and EMEA region.

Lord Carswell of Killeen, a former Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland and a Law Lord, has passed away at the age of 88. Born Robert Douglas Carswell, his legal career began when he was called to the Bar in 1957. He took silk in 1971 and was appointed to the High Court in 1984, before being eleva

Northern Ireland’s High Court has fined a Tyrone farmer £5,500 for contempt after he breached previous court undertakings on eight separate occasions. Despite the clear evidence of breaches, the court did not find that imprisonment for contempt was appropriate. This case involved two app

Northern Ireland’s High Court has sentenced John Brian Stelfox, a former practising solicitor, to six months' imprisonment for contempt following his failure to abide by a court maintenance order. Mr and Mrs Stelfox were married for more than 20 years and have four children. When they divorced

Over 100 organisations and individuals, led by the Children's Law Centre, have urged the Northern Ireland secretary to reverse cuts which will "cause serious harm" to children and young people. The letter, sent on behalf of 78 organisations and 23 individuals, states that budgetary decisions made by

Belfast-based Cleaver Fulton Rankin has appointed Florence Smith as an associate director in the firm's growing employment and immigration department. Ms Smith brings over 14 years' experience in employment law and joins a team which now boasts six experts in Northern Ireland employment and immigrat

Belfast-based Tughans has officially moved its headquarters to The Ewart, taking over the 11th and 12th floors of the Grade A office building at Bedford Square. The commercial law firm said its move from Victoria Street marks a period of growth and change for the firm, which celebrated 125 years in

A&L Goodbody's Belfast office has raised over £16,000 for social enterprise and wellbeing charity Inspire over a three-year partnership which has just concluded. The corporate law firm paid tribute to the "hugely beneficial and inspiring" partnership, which also saw ALG's 140-strong team i

Human rights lawyer Colin Smith BL has been appointed to the truth recovery independent panel for Northern Ireland's mother and baby institutions, Magdalene laundries and workhouses. The independent panel forms part of the integrated truth investigation recommended by the truth recovery design panel

UK law firm TLT has promoted Nichola Coghlan to managing associate and Orla Kennedy, Niamh McDermott and Patrick McGirr to senior associate in its Belfast office. The four promotions in Belfast form part of a UK-wide promotions round which has seen the firm name 10 new partners, bringing its total n

Equality and human rights law in Northern Ireland must keep pace with changes to equality and human rights law south of the border, a new joint report from three rights watchdogs has said. The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and the Irish Human

Staff at Higgins Hollywood Deazley are running in the Belfast City Relay Marathon on Sunday in aid of Inspire Wellbeing. Inspire is an all-island charity whose aim is wellbeing for all. Inspire works together with people living with mental ill health, intellectual disability, autism and addictions t