The Department of Justice and Probation Board NI (PBNI) will complete an assessment of a domestic violence pilot at Londonderry Magistrates' Court by September under the updated domestic and sexual violence and abuse strategy. Since last March, judges in Derry have been allowed to refer those convic
Northern Ireland
Roger McMillan and Neasa Quigley have today taken over the responsibilities of managing partner at Carson McDowell, succeeding Michael Johnston after eight years in the role. Mr McMillan has formally become the new managing partner, with a primary focus on the internal running of the firm and core o
The criminal justice system requires "urgent reforms" to improve outcomes for older victims of crime, according to a new report from the Commissioner for Older People in Northern Ireland. The Crime and Justice report, launched by Commissioner Eddie Lynch at Queen's University Belfast today, sets out
The use of non-jury trials in Northern Ireland will continue for a further two years, the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) has confirmed. In its response to a three-month consultation which closed in February, the NIO said a majority of respondents "mainly support, or at least accept the need for, an e
Two people have been arrested in connection with suspected human trafficking for the purpose of domestic servitude in a PSNI first. Detectives from the PSNI's modern slavery and human trafficking unit (MSHTU) arrested a 33-year-old man in East Belfast yesterday.
Professor Daithí Mac Síthigh, a law professor at Queen's University Belfast, is among 14 professionals selected to participate in a six-week international leadership programme beginning tomorrow. The 2019 Island of Ireland Programme, organised by Eisenhower Fellowships, will see seven
Barrister Jacqueline Simpson QC and Barbara Creed, partner at A&L Goodbody, are set to deliver the next Women in Law lecture in Belfast. The next event in the lecture series, organised by The Bar of Northern Ireland in conjunction with the Law Society of Northern Ireland, focuses on "Commercial
UK law firm TLT, with offices in Belfast, has announced a new partnership with asset management and fact-finding experts to provide a resolution for interest-only mortgage product lenders. The new partnership, with Spicerhaart Corporate Sales and Excel, is aimed at assisting interest-only mortgage b
The Court of Appeal has ruled that a District Judge of the Magistrates' Court did not have the power to refuse jurisdiction and commit an accused who had already pleaded guilty to the Crown Court. Lord Justice Seamus Treacy stated that, in circumstances where the accused had already elected for summ
More than £9 million has been paid in compensation to 16 people who were wrongfully convicted of crimes in the Northern Ireland courts over a decade. Figures obtained by BBC News NI show that 84 people were wrongfully convicted between 2007 and 2017 of crimes including murder and rape.
Prominent barrister Michael Lavery QC, who represented the families of many Bloody Sunday victims at the Saville Inquiry, has passed away at the age of 84. Mr Lavery, who called to the Bar in 1956 and took silk in 1971, retired in 2017 after a six-decade career.
Solicitor Hannah Holmes of Belfast firm Mills Selig is running in the London Marathon to raise money for the Public Initiative for the Prevention of Suicide and Self Harm (PIPS). Over 35,000 people are expected to take part in the marathon in central London this weekend.
A key Westminster committee has called on the UK government to take action to address UN findings about the human rights impact of Northern Ireland's restrictive abortion laws. In a report published today, the women and equalities committee said there had been several significant developments since
Kerri Bradley, HR director at Belfast firm Cleaver Fulton Rankin, has been recognised in the Business First Top 40 Under 40 List 2019 for Northern Ireland. Every year, the 40 Under 40 List recognises exceptional business professionals throughout Northern Ireland who display innovation and creativity
Eversheds Sutherland has announced the appointment of Damian McElholm as a senior associate in the firm's banking and finance team in Belfast. Mr Elholm has experience acting for a variety of key stakeholders in large value and complex banking and finance transactions to include major financial inst