Coronavirus

Tougher penalties for breaches of Covid-19 restrictions have not been brought into force in Northern Ireland due to delays in printing enforcement notices, Justice Minister Naomi Long has said. The Northern Ireland Executive agreed nearly a month ago to increase the minimum fine to £200 and al

The Bar Council of Ireland has raised concerns with the Courts Service about devils missing out on courtroom experience due to Covid-19 restrictions, according to reports. Despite early assurances, devils are being routinely denied entry to courtrooms due to strict restrictions on the number of peop

Parents whose children are subject of access orders should "try to agree what access can happen safely", the president of the District Court has said. In a statement issued on Saturday, Judge Colin Daly acknowledged that some parents "may be concerned that they cannot fulfil the terms of these order

The actions of the UK government during the coronavirus emergency this year bear the hallmarks of authoritarianism, Lord Sumption has warned. The former Supreme Court justice noted that authoritarian government promotes "loyalty at the expense of wisdom and flattery at the expense of objective advic

A High Court judge has said he hopes to have civil jury trials up and running in the New Year. Mr Justice Bernard Barton, who presides over the High Court civil jury trials, made the comments on Thursday after acknowledging that no civil jury trials will take place this year due to the Covid-19 pand

The High Court has issued notices setting out its plans for continued civil and criminal business during the six weeks of heightened Covid-19 restrictions in the State. Ms Justice Mary Irvine, president of the High Court, confirmed that "no new jury trials will commence" for "as long as the country

Gardaí will be able to issue fixed penalty notices of up to €500 under new Covid-19 regulation enforcement powers announced by government ministers. The Health (Amendment) Bill 2020, which ministers want to enact "as soon as possible", will amend the Health Act 1947 to introduce a system

Business in the Irish courts is likely to be disrupted for six weeks as Ireland moves to Level 5 of the Framework for Living with Covid-19. The Courts Service yesterday set out its broad plans for court business under Level 5 and is expected to issue a further statement later today.

Legislation to modernise Northern Ireland's liquor licensing laws has been introduced in the Assembly. The Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Bill, which was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, was introduced by Finance Minister Conor Murphy on behalf of Communities Minister Car&aacut

Jury trials and other courts and tribunals business are continuing in Northern Ireland following the tightening of Covid-19 restrictions on Friday. Crown Court trials have resumed at six courthouse locations since August in the Laganside courts complex in Belfast and at Antrim, Craigavon, Newry, Col

No new juries will be sworn in to hear trials at the Central Criminal Court if the government opts for a Level 5 lockdown, it emerged this morning. Mr Justice Michael White today said that trials can continue during Level 4 restrictions with juries to be selected from smaller panels to allow for soc

The president of the High Court has criticised lawyers for failing to follow public health guidelines in the courts, including the requirement for two-metre physical distancing. Ms Justice Mary Irvine said there were "more practitioners offending than complying with their social distancing obligatio

Courts in Cavan, Donegal and Monaghan will remain open following the introduction of tighter Covid-19 restrictions from midnight tonight. In a statement, the Courts Service said it had reviewed the guidance on Level 4 which will apply to the areas and will keep the courts open with protective public

Prison visits are set to be "temporarily suspended" in Northern Ireland from Friday evening following a tightening of Covid-19 restrictions. The Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) said the decision was made "following a discussion with the Justice Minister" and in response to further restriction

Scottish lawyers have voiced their opposition to any entrenchment of remote justice following comments from the Lord President that Scotland's legal system will not return to the status quo. Since the lockdown in March, the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) has developed new digital