Northern Ireland

Carson McDowell has announced the expansion of its litigation practice with the merger of defence insurance litigation specialists Francis J Irvine Solicitors into the business. Two lawyers specialising in defence insurance litigation, Aidan Murray and Christopher Walls, have joined Carson McDowell

Clare Curran, partner and head of the matrimonial department at Worthingtons Solicitors in Belfast, writes on how divorce awards are determined. One aspect of divorce that surprises many clients when they come to discuss a marriage breakdown is how bad behaviour on the part of their spouse, perhaps

Prominent Northern Ireland barristers Brett Lockhart QC and Gregory McGuigan QC were yesterday ordained as Catholic deacons at a ceremony in St Peter's Cathedral. The lawyers, alongside seven other men, are the first permanent deacons ordained for service in the Diocese of Down and Connor.

Belfast firm Tughans has announced its sponsorship of the Insurance Institute of Northern Ireland's (IINI) premium masterclass series for 2018/19.

The judge-led review of the administration of justice in serious sexual offence cases is ahead of schedule and will publish its recommendations next month, according to reports. Sir John Gillen, a retired Court of Appeal judge, was appointed in April to carry out an independent review which was expe

The Probation Board for Northern Ireland has officially opened a new office in Omagh, based in the Sperrin Centre alongside justice partner organisations such as the Youth Justice Agency. Probation supervises a number of people on community sentences within the Omagh area to guide their rehabilitati

The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland has voiced concern that yesterday's UK Supreme Court judgment may "raise uncertainty about the application of equality law in the commercial sphere". The commission had supported a man, Gareth Lee, in taking action against Ashers Baking Company for refusi

A private members' bill to decriminalise abortion in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will introduced in the House of Commons later this month. The bill will be introduced by Diana Johnson, Labour MP for Hull North, and is co-sponsored by a coalition of MPs from five different parties.

The Belfast office of A&L Goodbody (ALG) recently hosted the third annual Northern Ireland Top 100 Companies Banquet, in partnership with Ulster Business magazine. The Banquet at Belfast's Ulster Museum celebrated the outstanding achievements of the Top 100 Companies in the past year, recognisin

Belfast firm Cleaver Fulton Rankin has welcomed the recognition of its director and chairman Karen Blair and directors Stephen Cross and Kathryn Collie in The Legal 500 Hall of Fame. The Legal 500 Hall of Fame recognises lawyers on a global basis for their continued excellence.

Four former Secretaries of State for Northern Ireland have endorsed a call for the UK government to abandon its legacy inquest plans in favour of prioritising victim compensation. In a letter responding to the consultation on legacy matters, they said the £150 million earmarked for the Histori

Co Down solicitor Elaine Mary Early has admitted defrauding former clients to the tune of up to £400,000, the Belfast Telegraph reports. Ms Early yesterday pleaded guilty to 12 counts of fraud by abusing her position as a solicitor and five counts of transferring criminal property.

Derry solicitor Damien McDaid has denied defrauding the Legal Services Agency (LSA) at the outset of his trial before Londonderry Crown Court. He is alleged to have submitted fraudulent legal aid claim forms for his personal benefit while working as a sole practitioner between July 2010 and December

A 63-year-old man who was told by a company in Northern Ireland that they were ‘looking for a younger person’ to fill an employment vacancy, has been awarded £3,155.18 after it was found that the company discriminated against him on the grounds of his age. Finding that the company

The Law Society of Northern Ireland has launched a new awareness campaign aimed at reducing the threat posed by cybercriminals targeting homebuyers, sellers, lenders and solicitors. The "Call, Check and Confirm" campaign provides guidance, information and recommended actions to all parties involved