Northern Ireland

New measures allowing women in England to take abortion pills at home during the coronavirus pandemic should be extended to Northern Ireland, campaigners have said. The Department of Health in England yesterday confirmed that it would press ahead with previously withdrawn plans to allow women in Eng

A new book about Northern Ireland human rights lawyer Kevin Boyle is being promoted online in a "virtual book tour" because of the coronavirus pandemic. The recently-released book, "Are You With Me? Kevin Boyle and the Rise of the Human Rights Movement" by former CNN correspondent Mike Chinoy, explo

Up to 200 prisoners in Northern Ireland will be temporarily released before the end of their sentence under plans to tackle the spread of coronavirus. In a statement this morning, Justice Minister Naomi Long said the COVID-19 pandemic meant she had to "consider measures that only a few weeks ago wou

Prominent Belfast solicitor Niall Murphy has been hospitalised with coronavirus and remains in a critical but stable condition. Mr Murphy, 43, is a partner at KRW LAW LLP and is known for his work as a criminal defence lawyer and in representing victims of state violence during the Troubles.

New regulations allowing for access to abortion in Northern Ireland on request in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy have been laid in Parliament. Abortion will also be available up to 24 weeks where continuing the pregnancy would risk injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman or gi

Over £2 million has been paid through the Northern Ireland courts under confiscation orders since last April, according to new figures. The total figure of £2.2 million, paid in the 2019/20 financial year up to 18 March 2020, is the highest in at least five years.

Northern Ireland prisons have moved to a "reduced regime", with all prisoners required to remain in their accommodation block, in order to halt the spread of coronavirus. One prisoner and 163 prison staff in Northern Ireland are self-isolating but there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 so far, the

All court business in Northern Ireland will be consolidated in five courthouses with effect from tomorrow, the Lord Chief Justice, Sir Declan Morgan, has announced. The move follows previous measures announced to slow the spread of coronavirus during the global COVID-19 pandemic and will see only ur

Belfast law firm McKees has partnered with accountancy firm Harbinson Mulholland and financial services practice Kerr Henderson to support small and medium enterprises during the coronavirus pandemic. The new SME Support Forum will provide free guidance and support to businesses impacted by the cris

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

Christopher Stanley, litigation consultant at KRW LAW LLP, examines the UK government's recent proposals for dealing with the past in Northern Ireland. On Wednesday 18th March 2020, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland published a statement on the British government’s proposal for Deali

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

All visits to Northern Ireland prisons have been suspended with effect from today in order to slow the spread of coronavirus. Ronnie Armour, director general of the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS), said he "reluctantly" took the decision in consultation with Justice Minister Naomi Long.

Around 140,000 tablets intended for illegal distribution over the internet have been seized in Northern Ireland in part of a global operation co-ordinated by Interpol. The Northern Ireland operation, carried out by Organised Crime Task Force (OCTF) partners, was part of the global "Operation Pangea

The Bar of Northern Ireland has called for an immediate two-week suspension of all in-person court hearing except in "very exceptional" circumstances. The representative body for barristers issued a statement yesterday afternoon in response to the "unprecedented circumstances" created by the coronav