Law In Northern Ireland

Confused by the Northern Ireland issue in Brexit? This is the book explaining the complex legal arrangements addressing that problem.

Law in Northern Ireland is the essential textbook for all students of Northern Ireland's legal system. Changes to this new edition – some of them substantial – have been made to every section, taking full account of five years of developments. The book explores the evolution of law-making in Northern Ireland before going on to explain the relevant constitutional arrangements, how to identify and interpret applicable sources of law, and what are the fundamental rules and principles of public law, criminal law and private law, highlighting where appropriate what may be unusual about them. It contextualises the myriad of legal institutions operating in the jurisdiction, sets out how criminal and civil proceedings work in practice and provides useful information on how people become lawyers, what lawyers actually do once they become qualified and how the legal system is funded. The appendices set out some sample sources of law so that readers can familiarise themselves with what is involved in handling legal documents. The language throughout is accessible and there are Tables of Cases and Legislation, as well as a comprehensive index.

Professor of Law, Queen's University Belfast. Presents a clear explanation of how laws are made in Northern Ireland and what those laws say about a variety of topics such as constitutional law, criminal law, human rights, and claims brought in civil courts. The book's main aim is to help students get to grips with the peculiarities of the legal system in Northern Ireland. It sets out how that law-making system has developed over time, clarifies what the devolution of power to the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive actually means in legal terms, and describes the role of the key institutions operating the legal system. The book will also be of interest to other people who need to know more about law in Northern Ireland. Advisers, teachers, journalists, and officials of one kind or another will all find much that is of use to them between its covers. It will be a convenient reference work for many professionals as well as members of the general public.

The Northern Ireland peace process has been heralded by those involved as a successful example of transformation from a violent conflict to a peaceful society. This book examines the implementation of the Belfast Agreement in Northern Ireland, and evaluates whether its goal to establish a normal, peaceful society has been fully realised. Using the political and legal status of England, Scotland and Wales as a comparison, Jessie Blackbourn evaluates eight aspects of Northern Ireland which the Agreement aimed to normalise: the contested constitutional status of Northern Ireland, the devolution of power, decommissioning, the removal of emergency laws, demilitarisation, police reform, criminal justice reform, and paramilitary prisoners. The book highlights the historical context which gave rise to the need for a programme of normalisation within the Belfast Agreement with respect to these areas and assesses the extent to which that programme of normalisation has been successfully implemented. By evaluating the implementation of the Belfast Agreement, the book demonstrates the difficulties that transitional or post-conflict states face in attempting to wind back extraordinary counter-terrorism policies after periods of violence have been brought to an end. The book will be of great use to students and researchers concerned with the emergence, evolution and repeal of anti-terrorism laws, and anyone interested in the history of the conflict and peace process in Northern Ireland.

A unique and practical book for lawyers, social workers and social work students in Northern Ireland. Covering all areas of the law relating to social work practice, this title advises and guides, and clearly presents the vital legislative information in a clear and userfriendly style. Comprehensive and fully cross-referenced, Northern Ireland Social Work Law is an essential book for busy legal practitioners and health care professionals alike. Contents: Introduction to the Legal System Accountability; Litigation and the Trial Process Equality Law Criminal Justice System Child Protection Children's Services Adoption and Fostering Law of Relationship Breakdown Community Care Law Mental Health Law

Drawing on original research into explosive evidence which had been concealed for twenty-five years, this book offers a devastating critique of the official Widgery Inquiry into the massacre of innocent and unarmed civilians by British soldiers on Bloody Sunday. It exposes the Inquiry as a gross denial of justice and the rule of law. Expert analysis of the subordination of law to security policy in Northern Ireland reveals that the Bloody Sunday experience is an integral part of a sustained pattern. Belated prospects for a restoration of justice and the rule of law are found in the Good Friday Peace Agreement and the unprecedented establishment of a second Tribunal of Inquiry into Bloody Sunday.

Each of the jurisdictions within the UK and Ireland is refining the operational characteristics of its planning system and while there are some common practices, it is also the case that there are substantive divergences. In each territory the planning template is fundamentally shaped within a dynamic legal context and thus, students and practitioners of planning need accessible, informative and up-to-date literature dealing with this matter. Planning Law and Practice in Northern Ireland provides an interpretive narrative of the statutes, case law and planning procedures that have shaped its planning system, with due regard being given to the combined influences emanating from European Union, UK and Northern Ireland planning governance. The contributions in this book explore the evolution of planning in Northern Ireland and discuss key facets of development management, enforcement, environmental law, equality, property law and professional ethics. This book makes an important contribution to the wider literature in this field and provides an essential reference to students, planning practitioners and researchers.

This textbook presents an engaging and thorough examination of the law in Northern Ireland. It guides students through the evolution of law-making, the legislative process, courts, and case law and presents a clear overview of the fundamental rules and principles of international law, public law, criminal law, and private law. It contextualises the myriad legal institutions operating in the jurisdiction, sets out how criminal and civil proceedings work in practice, and provides useful information on how people become lawyers, what lawyers actually do once they become qualified, and how the legal system is funded. The appendices set out sample sources of law so that readers can familiarise themselves with what is involved in handling legal documents. This edition has been updated following recent legal developments in Northern Ireland including the 'New Decade, New Approach' agreement of 2020 and the different elements of the power-sharing government, such as the proposed Languages Bill and the Northern Ireland (Ministers, Elections and Petitions of Concern) Bill. It explains the effect of Brexit, in particular the new concept of 'retained EU law' and the effect of the Ireland / Northern Ireland Protocol to the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement. Setting out the implications of the recent UK-wide reviews of administrative law and the Human Rights Act for Northern Ireland, the book examines the work of the shadow Civil Justice Council and Family Justice Board and looks at the latest developments in the reform of abortion law. It explores new Assembly legislation that addresses the use of committal proceedings in criminal cases, the protection afforded to victims of domestic violence, and the rights of other victims, for example in relation to compensation for victims and survivors of the troubles and the appointment of an interim Victims of Crime Commissioner.