Northern Ireland

Jacqui Durkin has been reappointed as chief inspector of criminal justice in Northern Ireland. Ms Durkin has over 30 years' experience in the justice system, having held a number of senior leadership roles in operations and corporate services in what was then the Northern Ireland Court Service, incl

Criminal justice bodies in Northern Ireland have too readily used "transformation" as a pretext for cuts which have sometimes increased pressure for other bodies, a review has found. Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland this week published a strategic overview of transformation in Northern I

The UK government's decision to withdraw a funding grant from Belfast rap trio Kneecap has been ruled unlawful.

Proposals to improve the experience of services for victims and witnesses of crime in Northern Ireland have gone out for consultation. The Department of Justice is seeking the views of the public as it develops its Victims and Witnesses of Crime Bill.

Colin Mitchell has taken up post as president of the Law Society of Northern Ireland.

Taylor Muldoon has been awarded The Lord Kerr Scholarship by Queen's University Belfast School of Law. The annual scholarship was established in memory of Baron Kerr of Tonaghmore, law alumnus of Queen's in 1969, former Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland and Justice of the Supreme Court of the U

Northern Ireland's enduring powers of attorney (EPA) framework is "outdated" and in need of urgent reform, former justice minister Claire Sugden has said. Ms Sugden, who chairs the Northern Ireland Assembly's All-Party Group on Ageing and Older People, told ministers to consider introducing somethin

A pilot scheme providing free, independent legal advice and advocacy to adult complainants in serious sexual offence cases in Northern Ireland has been extended for two further years. The sexual offences legal advisers (SOLA) pilot scheme will now run until March 2027.

The UK government has insisted its plans to create a "smokefree generation" will extend to Northern Ireland despite doubts over their compatibility with post-Brexit rules. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which had its second reading in the House of Commons yesterday, will raise the legal age of the purc

Geraldine McGahey has been reappointed as chief commissioner of the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland for a further five-year term. Ms McGahey, who has led the independent public body since 2020, will now continue in the role until 28 February 2030.

A new small grants scheme aimed at reducing domestic and sexual abuse has been launched in Northern Ireland. The new scheme, jointly launched by the justice and health departments, has been designed to support community and voluntary organisations in their essential work with victims of domestic and

Carson McDowell has announced seven partner promotions, bringing its total number of partners to 40 — more than any other firm headquartered in Northern Ireland.

KRW Law has settled a defamation action brought against former Northern Ireland secretary of state Sir Brandon Lewis. The Belfast-based law firm sued Mr Lewis and the Northern Ireland Office in relation to an article which the minister wrote for the ConservativeHome website in June 2022.

Belfast firm Mills Selig has welcomed Jamie Farrell-Murray, Andrew McConnell and Kate McCandless as solicitors following the completion of their legal training. Ms Farrell-Murray and Mr McConnell have joined the firm's corporate team, where they will work directly with managing partner Chris Guy, se

Francesca Albanese, one of the leading UN experts on Palestine, is to deliver Amnesty International Northern Ireland's annual lecture next week. Ms Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory, will speak about the findings of her latest report, Genocide