Stalking

More than 90 per cent of stalking convictions in Northern Ireland were achieved less than a year after the defendants were reported to police, according to new figures. Stalking became a standalone offence under the Protection from Stalking Act (NI) 2022, which came into force in April 2022.

At least 135 prosecutors in Northern Ireland have received special training on stalking since new legislation was introduced two years ago. The Stalking Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 became law in April 2022, creating the new offences of stalking and threatening or abusive behaviour. The law also led

Practitioners have welcomed the commencement of legislation allowing for victims of stalking to apply to the District Court for a civil order to prohibit such behaviour continuing. Keith Walsh, solicitor and co-author of the award-winning book Domestic Violence Law in Ireland, told Irish Legal News

A stalking protection order has been granted by a Northern Ireland for the first time since their introduction in October 2023. Belfast Magistrates' Court imposed the two-year SPO on Tuesday on a 46-year-old man who stalked and harassed his 50-year-old ex-partner.

Stalking and non-fatal strangulation have become standalone criminal offences following the commencement of a wide-ranging law which also increases the maximum sentence for various offences and introduces new protections for victims. Almost all of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act

Stalking protection orders can now be granted by the Northern Ireland courts to protect victims of stalking from an immediate risk of harm. In effect from today, the new orders — also known as SPOs — will allow police to intervene early in an investigation, prior to any conviction of sta

A wide-ranging bill introducing new standalone offences of stalking and non-fatal strangulation, increasing the maximum sentence for various offences and introducing new protections for victims has completed all stages in the Oireachtas. The Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which de

Alleged victims of stalking and harassment will not have to face cross-examination by the alleged perpetrators as part of a package of legislative amendments aimed at better supporting victims of crime. Justice minister Helen McEntee today announced a number of amendments to the Criminal Justice (Mi

Eithne Reid O’Doherty BL outlines innovations in two pieces of legislation in respect of stalking, the possibility of speedier access to restraining orders as well as take-down orders. On 29th March 2023 the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022 passed the Report Stage and is n

New legislation providing for a specific offence of stalking and introducing new stalking protection orders (SPOs) is closer to becoming law after completing consideration stage in Stormont. MLAs yesterday approved a series of amendments to the Protection from Stalking Bill which were developed

Draft legislation to create a specific offence of stalking and provide for the introduction of stalking protection orders in Northern Ireland has been brought to Stormont. The 20-clause Protection from Stalking Bill introduced by Justice Minister Naomi Long yesterday marks a major step forward in a

Justice Minister Naomi Long has met campaigners for new legislation on stalking as she prepares to introduce a bill to Stormont.