Coronavirus

A 24-year-old man in Co Wexford has become the first person charged with offences under the new coronavirus emergency law. Denis Constantin appeared in Gorey District Court yesterday on two charges of contravening a provision of a regulation made under the Health (Preservation and Protection and oth

Ireland should follow the UK in relaxing insolvency laws during the coronavirus pandemic to give companies "the best chance of survival", lawyers have said. John Given, corporate partner at Dublin-based Philip Lee, said businesses should not be penalised for continuing to trade while insolvent "in t

Failures to provide frontline workers with personal protective equipment (PPE) during the coronavirus pandemic could lead to criminal charges, solicitor advocate Ciarán Moynagh has warned. Mr Moynagh, of Belfast-based Phoenix Law, told the Belfast Telegraph that the Department of Health's dut

Larry Fenelon, co-founder and managing partner at Leman Solicitors, responds to new measures affecting public works. The Minister for Finance has confirmed that building contractors working under public works contracts are entitled to claim some expenses resulting from site closures in response to

The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) will livestream its proceedings for the first time in its history as part of its move to remote hearings during the coronavirus pandemic. The court has traditionally resisted moves towards live broadcasts of its hearings, instead publishing audio recor

Remote court hearings are set to begin later this month following a successful trial of the new technology, the Chief Justice has announced. Solicitors, barristers and courts staff across various jurisdictions are now taking part in mock hearings ahead of the use of the technology in actual cases "e

Prominent Belfast solicitor Niall Murphy was applauded by healthcare workers as he was wheeled out of intensive care following nearly two weeks of treatment for coronavirus. A video of the 43-year-old lawyer, a partner at KRW LAW LLP, leaving intensive care was posted on Twitter by Sinn Féin

High Court cases listed for a hearing next week should be adjourned for four weeks rather than eight weeks, the Lord Chief Justice has directed. Amended COVID-19 guidance issued to courts states that "in most cases the adjournment period will be one of eight weeks".

A new awareness campaign has been launched to ensure that victims of domestic abuse know services are still available in spite of the coronavirus pandemic. New TV and radio ads now airing reflect the particular issues raised for some by the need to stay at home because of restrictions introduced to

Ronan Hynes, partner at Sellors, considers how the coronavirus pandemic has accelerated the transformation of the justice sector. COVID-19 has reminded us how globalised the world has become, how interconnected we all are and the role that technology will play in our future. The World Economic Forum

Ireland's human rights watchdog has called on political parties forming the next government to safeguard rights in its response to the coronavirus pandemic. In a letter sent to party leaders, acting chief commissioner Tony Geoghegan said Ireland's "legal human rights and equality norms" should "cont

Virtual prison visits have been rolled out across Northern Ireland's prisons following the suspension of in-person visits during the coronavirus pandemic. The video-link facilities introduced at Maghaberry Prison, Magilligan Prison and Hydebank Wood allow for 20-minute "visits" between prisoners and

Justice Minister Naomi Long has paid tribute to "everyone working in the justice system" for their response to the coronavirus pandemic. Ms Long discussed the impact of COVID-19 on the criminal justice system with senior members of the judiciary, police and prosecution service at the Criminal Justic

Guidance on working from home securely has been published by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). The coronavirus pandemic has suddenly presented IT personnel and indeed all users with a set of cyber security challenges that, while not unique, are being experienced on a significantly larger s

Pinsent Masons has furloughed some of its non-fee earners in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The firm may also issue guidance on holidays as it looks to avoid mass absences when the lockdown eases.