Northern Ireland

A new policy adopted by Northern Ireland's Department of Health sets out expectations for minimising the use of restrictive interventions, restraint and seclusion in health and social care settings. Former health minister Robin Swann approved the new policy on restrictive practices in health and soc

A networking event hosted by QUB Women in Law brought together students starting their legal journey and women from various sectors of law to share their experiences and learn from each other. Dame Siobhan Keegan delivered the keynote speech at last week's event, sharing her journey to becoming the

Northern Ireland’s High Court has rejected an application challenging a 2021 decision of the justice minister to refuse to make a payment to an applicant out of an ex gratia compensation scheme. The court found that the refusal was rational and reasonable.

More small legal practices in Northern Ireland "will have to consider merging to remain economically viable" amid cost of living challenges, the president of the Law Society of Northern Ireland has warned. The latest edition of The Writ, the Law Society's magazine, includes a Q&A with Brian Arch

Belfast-based commercial law firm McMahon McKay has become the Northern Ireland office of UK-headquartered alternative law firm Spencer West under a new collaborative association. John McMahon and Danny McKay lead a seven-strong Belfast team specialising in corporate, commercial, real estate, financ

An increase in the limits for payments and awards to workers in employment rights cases in Northern Ireland will take effect next month. From 6 April 2023, the limit on the compensatory award for unfair dismissal will rise from £94,063 to £105,915, while the maximum amount of "a week&rsq

Lawyers have urged the Irish government to take the UK to the European Court of Human Rights over controversial plans to end criminal investigations and prosecutions linked to killings during the Troubles. In an open letter published yesterday, Belfast-based KRW LAW, which represents a significant n

An inflationary increase in planning fees in Northern Ireland will come into effect next month. The Department for Infrastructure confirmed that an increase of approximately 12.3 per cent, the first since 2019, will be applied across all planning application categories from Thursday 6 April 2023.

Nathan Campbell, employment and business immigration associate at Belfast-based Cleaver Fulton Rankin, reflects on recent changes to the Immigration Rules and considers how the amendments could impact businesses in Northern Ireland. A new statement of changes to the Immigration Rules has been publi

Northern Ireland’s Court of Appeal has determined that a 12-year sentence in relation to cultivating cannabis was not excessive, given the scope and value of the operation, and the control exercised by the accused. However, the court did reduce a separate sentence which had been applied concur

JMK Solicitors has been named as Northern Ireland's busiest personal injury firm for a ninth consecutive year. The firm was instructed in 1,512 cases last year, more than double that of the next busiest firm, according to figures obtained from the Compensation Recovery Unit inside the Department for

A woman who complained of sexual harassment and victimisation after a staff Christmas party has been awarded £18,857 by the Industrial Tribunal. Shirley Lyons, who worked as a designer/sales consultant with Starplan in Portadown from June 2013 until April 2018, was supported by the Equality Co

A new campaign is seeking to raise awareness of the support, services and redress available for victims and survivors of historical institutional abuse in Northern Ireland. From this week, advertisements will be running in regional and local newspapers and on social media platforms to ensure victims

A review of PSNI strip-searches of children and young people in custody will be carried out after concerns were raised by the Children's Law Centre (CLC). The Northern Ireland Policing Board said its human rights adviser will "review the compliance with human rights in how the PSNI addresses childre

Lawyers must continue to challenge the Northern Ireland courts to properly protect victims and survivors of domestic abuse, a prominent family lawyer has said. Claire Edgar, family law partner at Francis Hanna & Co Solicitors, was among the speakers at The Bar of Northern Ireland's recent confer