Northern Ireland

Action is needed to help the Fine Collection and Enforcement Service (FCS) collect unpaid fines and deal with historic debts, according to a new report. An inspection report by Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland (CJINI) examined the arrangements in place to take enforcement action whe

The Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) has announced that contact will be allowed between parents and children under 11 during prison visits from 19 July. Director general of NIPS, Ronnie Armour, said: "The re-introduction of contact between parents and children under 11 during visits is an impo

A dispute over a Pride poster in the workplace, which led to a complaint of harassment on the grounds of sexual orientation, has been settled with the help of the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland (ECNI). The incident resulted in Rory Harbinson taking a case against his employer, Belfast

An application by prosecutors to withdraw proceedings against the former British soldier known as "Soldier F" has been adjourned until October. Soldier F was charged in March 2019 with the murder of James Wray and William McKinney, and the attempted murders of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon

A consultation has been launched seeking views on possible legislation to require all compensation settlements to children for personal injuries to be approved by a court. Currently in Northern Ireland, only those compensation settlements for a child which are agreed during legal proceedings must be

Plaintiff personal injury firm JMK Solicitors has successfully trialled a new initiative to securely share documents with defendant law firms. The firm's secure document sharing portal aims to create greater efficiencies in the handling of litigation and help to reduce the risks of data breaches.

A new public consultation is seeking views on how the criminal justice system should treat cases of non-fatal strangulation. Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland (CJINI) recommended in June 2019 that the Department of Justice should review how potential inadequacies in current legislation re

Law Centre NI has been recognised for its work in ensuring access to justice for all with an award at the UK-wide Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards (LALYs). The Law Centre won the Regional Legal Aim Firm/Not-for-Profit Agency category. It was nominated alongside the Family Law Company in Exeter an

A draft policy on the use of restrictive practices, restraint and seclusion in health and social care settings has gone out to consultation. The 91-page draft document aims to minimise the use of restrictive practices and has been drawn up in conjunction with both service users and health profession

International law firm DAC Beachcroft has announced the promotion of Catriona McCorry to partner in the firm's Belfast office. The move forms part of a global round involving the appointment of 16 new partners, seven new legal directors, 30 new senior associates and eight new associates.

The family of a loyalist shot dead in 1991 have launched civil proceedings against Libya over its supply of weapons to the Provisional IRA. Belfast firm KRW LAW LLP has been instructed to act on behalf of the family of William Kingsberry Snr, who was shot at his home in Belfast in November 1991 alon

The Private Tenancies Bill was introduced to the Assembly yesterday with aims of improving protections for tenants living in the private rented sector. Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey said: "I am putting the needs of tenants at the heart of my approach. Private renters should have access to a go

A new project examining perspectives on the Good Friday Agreement has been launched by the UCL Constitution Unit. The project, funded by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust, will be led by Dr Alan Renwick, the unit's deputy director who previously chaired the Working Group on Unification Referendum

The Court of Appeal of Northern Ireland has dismissed an appeal from the Department of Justice against a finding that it had discriminated against a female employee on the grounds of sex. The claimant alleged that she had been employed with the DOJ and had intermittently performed the functions of a

A pared-back bill to update the law on sexual offending in Northern Ireland has been introduced to the Northern Ireland Assembly. The Justice (Sexual Offences and Trafficking Victims) Bill is focused on enhancing public safety and improving services for victims of trafficking and exploitation.