Coronavirus

The UK government's reaction to the coronavirus pandemic should be investigated after the emergency has abated but any legal action brought against it will face "high hurdles", lawyers have told our sister publication Scottish Legal News. Boris Johnson's government is widely believed to ha

Court cases will "generally" take place remotely, either by email, telephone or Skype, under new coronavirus guidance published by the Lord Chief Justice, Sir Declan Morgan. In an update circulated on Friday evening, the LCJ's office said further measures were being introduced following an assessmen

Pubs could lose their licenses if they flout non-binding Government recommendations to close for two weeks, a senior barrister has warned. Constance Cassidy SC, who specialises in liquor license applications, told The Irish Times that pubs could be punished through the licensing process even in the

The Law Society of Northern Ireland has said its professional conduct department will carry out off-site "desk-top reviews" instead of full inspections until further notice. The professional body's regulation department has completed a review of how it will "avoid imposing unnecessary burdens on mem

No new jury trials or physical hearings will commence in the Crown Court, the Lord Chief Justice has announced in a statement intended to "provide some clarity for the coming few days". Lord Burnett of Maldon said: "My unequivocal position is that no jury trials or other physical hearings can take p

The Royal Navy could be drafted in to help run prisons in England and Wales under contingency plans drawn up to deal with coronavirus. The unprecedented option will be available to prison bosses if too many prison officers contract COVID-19 and have to stay at home, The Times reports.

The Irish Government's emergency coronavirus bill cleared the Dáil last night without a vote. The Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Bill 2020 will provide for "exceptional measures, being introduced in the interest of public health and su

Ireland's housing crisis is now "an acute health crisis" for vulnerable people in homeless accommodation or overcrowded housing, the Mercy Law Resource Centre (MLRC) has warned. Welcoming plans to ban evictions and freeze rents for three months in response to the coronavirus outbreak, managing solic

David Rodgers, tax solicitor at Ronan Daly Jermyn (RDJ), explores the support payment scheme announced this week in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The Revenue Commissioners this week published details of a support payment scheme introduced as part of the response by the Government to COVID-19

The Irish Government's emergency coronavirus bill should be time-limited or include a "sunset clause", the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) has said. The Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Bill 2020 is due to be introduced in the Dá

There will be no further oral hearings of cases listed before the Chancery and Probate Master until further notice as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. Solicitors acting for banks and building societies have been invited to submit a written submission by email in respect of every case they have

Applications for the registration of an enduring power of attorney will not have to be personally served due to coronavirus restrictions, the president of the High Court has said. Mr Justice Peter Kelly yesterday issued a practice direction which will remain in force "until further notice".

The Courts Service of Ireland has issued updated statements regarding hearings in the High Court, Circuit Court and District Court, which is reproduced in full below. The High Court

The Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland has taken measures to reduce the number of people attending court from today. The latest update, issued yesterday evening, is reproduced in full below. The Lord Chief Justice met yesterday with representatives of the legal profession to discuss measures to

Writing for Irish Legal News, barrister Andrew McKeown explores the provisions of the Irish Government's emergency coronavirus bill. The Government has published a Bill “to make exceptional provision, in the public interest and having regard to the manifest and grave risk to human life and pub