Northern Ireland

The UK government's proposed Bill of Rights has been abandoned. The bill was due to have a second reading in Parliament next week. The government is now, however, "reviewing the most effective means to deliver objectives through our legislative agenda" and the Bill of Rights is "unlikely to progress

Darren Toombs, partner at Carson McDowell, provides an update on the Bankruptcy Court as it reopens its doors to creditor bankruptcy petitions — albeit at additional cost to business and trade creditors — while corporate winding up petitions remain in limbo. As we start a new court term

Belfast solicitor Owen Beattie has announced the launch of his own firm, specialising in the areas of personal injury litigation, medical negligence, criminal defence and judicial review. Owen Beattie & Co Solicitors is based in Belfast city centre and will represent clients throughout Northern

More funding is needed to tackle court backlogs and maintain confidence in the justice system, Northern Ireland's Lady Chief Justice, Dame Siobhan Keegan, has said at the beginning of the new legal term. In her opening term address yesterday, Dame Siobhan highlighted the analysis published by the No

All-island insurance law firm Lacey Solicitors has announced the promotion of Ruaidhrí Austin to partner as part of a firm-wide round of appointments. Alongside Mr Austin's promotion, Jenna Curran has been appointed as senior associate solicitor and Aisling Creegan has joined the firm as an a

The new Foyle Family Justice Centre, aimed at supporting victims and survivors of domestic abuse, has opened its doors in Derry. Developed by Foyle Women's Aid, the project will provide a range of services to those affected by domestic abuse including crisis intervention, emergency accommodation, ca

The Probation Board for Northern Ireland is seeking views on how to help shape the future of probation services in Northern Ireland. A public consultation is now open for 10 weeks as part of the development of the board’s corporate plan for 2023-26 which will set out the strategic direction of

Mr Justice Mark Horner has been appointed as a Lord Justice of Appeal in Northern Ireland. Previously a High Court judge, he was sworn into office today at a ceremony in the Royal Courts of Justice in Belfast.

The Bar of Northern Ireland has appointed Sinead McIvor as its new policy and communications manager. Ms McIvor heads up the policy and communications team, which manages the internal and external communication on behalf of the Bar of NI as well as public affairs and stakeholder engagement activitie

Northern Ireland's Public Prosecution Service (PPS) has announced it will prosecute two individuals and one company in relation to a 2019 incident at the Greenvale Hotel, Cookstown which led to the deaths of three teenagers. Separate investigations were carried out by the PSNI and the Police Ombudsm

Northern Ireland’s High Court has, for the second time, declared that the Northern Ireland Executive is failing in its duty to enhance and protect the development of the Irish language. There has been inaction on this point since the provisions were introduced in 2007. In this judicial review

Barrister and architectural expert Kyle Leyden has been appointed to Northern Ireland's Historic Buildings Council (HBC). The HBC, established in 1974 and currently constituted under section 198 of the Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011, aims to provide independent advice to the Department for Com

Moira Smyth QC is the new chair of the Bar of Northern Ireland, beginning a two-year term ahead of the start of the new legal year next week. Ms Smyth, who succeeds Bernard Brady QC, was called to the Bar in 1996 and took silk in 2014. Most of her work as a barrister is in the field of family law.

Retired Belfast solicitor Peter Ford has passed away, the Law Society of Northern Ireland has said. Mr Ford was admitted to the roll of solicitors in 1970.

Northern Ireland's High Court has rejected the most recent claim in a long-running dispute, relating to custody of a 10-year-old boy. The court found that the father had an "inability to prioritise his son’s welfare over his own obsession", and his claims that video call contact was “ter