Northern Ireland

Controversial spit hoods have been rolled out to thousands more PSNI officers in spite of a call from the Northern Ireland Policing Board for their use to be "phased out as soon as possible". Four NGOs – Amnesty International, the Children's Law Centre, CAJ and Include Youth – have calle

Legislation providing a legal definition of bullying and requiring schools to record incidents of bullying will finally be brought into effect in September. The Addressing Bullying in Schools Act (NI) 2016, which was passed with the support of all political parties, will commence from 1 September 20

English solicitor Greg Cox has been appointed as a trustee to the board of governors of Armagh Observatory and Planetarium (AOP). Mr Cox is the managing partner and CEO of English law firm Simpson Millar and has extensive experience of financial management, governance experience, capital raising and

A prominent solicitor who headed one of Northern Ireland's largest commercial law firms may not go on trial for alleged fraud offences until 2023, a court has heard. Solicitor Ian Coulter, 49, and businessman Frank Cushnahan, 78, were charged last year with fraud offences linked to the sale of NAMA&

Legislation to change how the personal injury discount rate is calculated has been introduced to the Northern Ireland Assembly. The Damages (Return on Investment) Bill, which follows a public consultation last year, will change how the personal injury discount rate is set.

Belfast-based KRW LAW LLP has expanded its legacy department with the appointment of Padraig McIlkenny, who joins the practice from the community sector. Mr McIlkenny will assist in both the conflict and historical institutional abuse sectors of the team's work.

Proposals to require courts to approve legal settlements of financial cases involving minors are set to be put to a public consultation after the summer. Personal injury and road traffic specialist firm JMK Solicitors has been calling since 2016 for action to ensure children’s rights are fully

The Police Federation for Northern Ireland has said it will launch judicial review proceedings over the suspension of a PSNI officer involved in an arrest at a memorial marking the 29th anniversary of a mass shooting. An officer was suspended from duty and another was repositioned after Mark Sykes,

Derry-based McCay Solicitors has announced the appointment of Charlene McNabb and Sara Plower as associate solicitors in its probate and property department. Ms McNabb is an experienced solicitor with expertise in all kinds of residential sales and purchases, drafting wills, enduring powers of attor

The UK government's review of the Human Rights Act "presents significant potential risks to stability and peace in Northern Ireland", experts at Queen's University Belfast have said. In a 19-page submission, QUB Human Rights Centre said the review is "widely perceived here as the latest in a long li

A unionist who believes the Northern Ireland Protocol has "weakened the Union" has launched a judicial review seeking a declaration that the operation of the protocol is unconstitutional and unlawful. Belfast man Clifford Peeples instructed a solicitor last week and issued judicial review proceeding

Justice Minister Naomi Long has launched two consultation documents on measures to eradicate modern slavery from the supply chains of public and commercial sector organisations. Transparency in supply chains (TISC) involves relevant businesses publishing a modern slavery statement and setting out th

Mr Justice Gerry McAlinden has been appointed as president of the Victims’ Payments Board, which will determine who is entitled to payments under the new Troubles pension scheme. The judge was appointed as interim president of the board last November and will now take on the role permanently f

Northern Ireland needs a dedicated inpatient facility for young people with drug and alcohol issues, the Children's Law Centre (CLC) has said. In a written submission to the Department of Health's consultation on a substance abuse strategy, the law centre said there may be a "critical mass" of child

Barrister Gillian McGaughey BL will serve as a non-executive member of the Northern Ireland Guardian Ad Litem Agency (NIGALA) for a further 12 months. Health Minister Robin Swann today announced the 12-month extension to the terms of two members from 1 February 2021 to a date not later than 31 Janua