Northern Ireland

No-fault divorces could be introduced in Northern Ireland following similar legal reforms in England and Wales two years ago. Northern Ireland's finance minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald, who has responsibility for private family law, this week told MLAs that she "will ask my officials to explore how we

Global legal business DWF is again sponsoring Trade NI's annual House of Commons reception, with DWF's chief executive officer Sir Nigel Knowles featuring as a keynote speaker. This afternoon's event will see the launch of a new report, Northern Ireland Building for Success, which has been produced

Six Irish Travellers have settled a race discrimination case against a Co Tyrone inn for £24,000 with support from the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland. The group of family and friends visited the Ryandale Inn in May 2023 where they planned to have a meal. When they attempted to order

Northern Ireland will join the rest of the UK in increasing the age of sale for tobacco by one year every year in spite of concerns that it could fall foul of post-Brexit agreements. MLAs yesterday approved a legislative consent motion allowing the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, currently making its way th

Legal and professional services group Gateley has promoted construction lawyer Ryan Wilson to associate in its Belfast office. Mr Wilson, who joined in 2022, advises developers, contractors and housebuilders on all types of construction disputes including fire safety and cladding disputes as well as

Northern Ireland victims of the infected blood scandal are set to receive compensation through a UK government scheme following the publication of a damning inquiry report. The Infected Blood Inquiry yesterday concluded that the infection of around 30,000 people across the UK with hepatitis and HIV

Racist hate crimes and incidents reported to the PSNI reached a record high in the 12 months to the end of March 2024, according to new figures. There were 1,353 racist incidents and 839 racist crimes recorded by police in the 12-month period, the highest since records began in 2004/05, according to

Belfast lawyer Chris Ross, managing partner of McKees, is to complete a gruelling 400-kilometre off-road run in aid of Young Social Innovators and Positive Steps Outdoors. Mr Ross will be joined by Roger Warnock, chief executive of Young Social Innovators, and Alan Elwood, founder of Positive Steps

A legal battle over access to UK government records relating to the 1974 Dublin-Monaghan bombings is set to continue, a lawyer representing the families of victims has said on the 50th anniversary of the attacks. Kevin Winters, solicitor and founding partner of Belfast firm KRW LAW LLP, welcomed "re

Queen's University Belfast and Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) are today hosting an event aimed at supporting law tech innovation in Northern Ireland. Taking place at Riddel Hall, the Venture Day is a competition for start-ups revolutionising the legal technology landscape. The competition will see st

A sales advisor has settled his disability discrimination case against his former employer, Telefonica Ltd, for £160,000 with support from the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland. Eamon Bowen worked in an O2 store for a number of years. In 2014, he was diagnosed with Spondylolisthesis, a

The UK government has announced the expansion of its controversial Rwanda scheme to include failed asylum seekers. Those with no right to be in the UK, who have had an earlier protection or human rights claim refused or withdrawn and are unable to appeal their decision, can now expect to be removed

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is to produce a report on the extent of its surveillance of legal professionals and journalists by June. Belfast lawyer Niall Murphy, partner at KRW LAW LLP, has accused the force of acting like "East German secret police in the early 1980s" following re

Belfast-based McKees says it has become the first law firm in Northern Ireland to integrate generative AI technology tailored specifically for lawyers. The independent commercial law firm has partnered with Cicero AI, a legal technology startup that has developed a secure platform that focuses on in

Clyde & Co hosted a first-of-its-kind networking event for women barristers in the firm's Belfast office last week.