04/09/2025
Long Marks 10th Anniversary Of Legal Services Agency
The Legal Services Agency (LSA) recently marked its 10th anniversary with a visit from Justice Minister Naomi Long to its headquarters in Belfast.
The Minister's visit coincided with the release of provisional figures showing the LSA paid out a total of £120 million for legal aid work in the last financial year.
The total expenditure by the LSA in 2024/25 includes £116.8 million on legal aid cases, with an additional £3.2 million paid in respect of legacy inquests.
Minister Long said the figure demonstrates the ongoing commitment to providing high-quality access to justice in Northern Ireland. She added that she values the role legal aid plays in supporting the most vulnerable in society, as people often encounter the justice system "at times of crisis." She added that her Department continues to make "significant investment" to ensure those most in need can access legal representation.
During her visit, Minister Long paid tribute to the LSA's staff for their "hard work," particularly for their efforts in reducing the length of time it takes to make payments. The Agency has successfully cut the amount of bills it needs to assess. At the end of March 2025, the LSA had £5.7m of bills to assess, a 58% reduction from the £13.6m at the same time in 2024. This figure has since been further reduced to £3.9m, a decrease of 32% since the end of March 2025.
The Minister said the increased spend on legal aid reflects both a rise in demand and the "contribution the Agency makes to the civil and criminal justice systems."
The Minister's visit coincided with the release of provisional figures showing the LSA paid out a total of £120 million for legal aid work in the last financial year.
The total expenditure by the LSA in 2024/25 includes £116.8 million on legal aid cases, with an additional £3.2 million paid in respect of legacy inquests.
During her visit, Minister Long paid tribute to the LSA's staff for their "hard work," particularly for their efforts in reducing the length of time it takes to make payments. The Agency has successfully cut the amount of bills it needs to assess. At the end of March 2025, the LSA had £5.7m of bills to assess, a 58% reduction from the £13.6m at the same time in 2024. This figure has since been further reduced to £3.9m, a decrease of 32% since the end of March 2025.
The Minister said the increased spend on legal aid reflects both a rise in demand and the "contribution the Agency makes to the civil and criminal justice systems."
Latest Northern Ireland News
05 September 2025
Lurgan Man Jailed For Sexual Abuse Of Six Children
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Lurgan Man Jailed For Sexual Abuse Of Six Children
A man from Lurgan has been sentenced to five years in prison for the sexual abuse of six children. Patrick Lavery, aged 40, was sentenced at Craigavon Crown Court on Thursday, 4 September 2025, after being found guilty of multiple offences including gross indecency and indecent assault.
05 September 2025
Baroness Cass To Assess Gender Identity Services In NI
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Baroness Cass To Assess Gender Identity Services In NI
Baroness Hilary Cass, who led the national Independent Review of Gender Identity Services for Children and Young People, has been asked by Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to conduct an assessment of the provision of gender identity services in Northern Ireland.
05 September 2025
NI Executive Condemns Racism And Sectarianism
The Northern Ireland Executive has issued a strong statement condemning all forms of racism, sectarianism, and hostility towards individuals of different backgrounds. The Executive has called for calm across all communities, stating that all acts of violence and intimidation are "abhorrent" and must "stop immediately".
NI Executive Condemns Racism And Sectarianism
The Northern Ireland Executive has issued a strong statement condemning all forms of racism, sectarianism, and hostility towards individuals of different backgrounds. The Executive has called for calm across all communities, stating that all acts of violence and intimidation are "abhorrent" and must "stop immediately".
05 September 2025
Justice Minister Meets New Therapy Dog
A new therapy dog named Sebastian is helping to make the court experience less intimidating for children and young people. The two-year-old St Bernard x Bernese Mountain Dog works with the NSPCC Young Witness Service to support young people who are preparing to attend court.
Justice Minister Meets New Therapy Dog
A new therapy dog named Sebastian is helping to make the court experience less intimidating for children and young people. The two-year-old St Bernard x Bernese Mountain Dog works with the NSPCC Young Witness Service to support young people who are preparing to attend court.
05 September 2025
Road Disruption Expected In L'Derry This Weekend
Motorists in the Derry City & Strabane area should expect traffic disruption this weekend due to a number of planned parades. A band parade is scheduled for this evening, Friday, 5 September, in Newbuildings. A smaller parade will take place from 7.30pm to 8.15pm, followed by a larger one from 8.30pm until 11pm.
Road Disruption Expected In L'Derry This Weekend
Motorists in the Derry City & Strabane area should expect traffic disruption this weekend due to a number of planned parades. A band parade is scheduled for this evening, Friday, 5 September, in Newbuildings. A smaller parade will take place from 7.30pm to 8.15pm, followed by a larger one from 8.30pm until 11pm.
05 September 2025
Murder Inquiry Launched After Man Dies In Mountnorris
Detectives from the PSNI's Major Investigation Team have launched a murder inquiry following the death of a man in Mountnorris. A 39-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently in custody, assisting detectives with their enquiries.
Murder Inquiry Launched After Man Dies In Mountnorris
Detectives from the PSNI's Major Investigation Team have launched a murder inquiry following the death of a man in Mountnorris. A 39-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is currently in custody, assisting detectives with their enquiries.
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Man Arrested In Belfast Over 'Grandparent Scam'
The PSNI have arrested a 24-year-old man in east Belfast, wanted to face fraud charges in Hungary. He was detained on a Hungarian extradition warrant and is due to appear before Laganside Extradition Court later today, Friday, 5 September 2025.
Man Arrested In Belfast Over 'Grandparent Scam'
The PSNI have arrested a 24-year-old man in east Belfast, wanted to face fraud charges in Hungary. He was detained on a Hungarian extradition warrant and is due to appear before Laganside Extradition Court later today, Friday, 5 September 2025.
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Other News In Brief
UUP Does Not Support Councillor Strike Action The Ulster Unionist Party's Councillors Association has stated that the party does not support any suggestion of strike action or work-to-rule. The move follows the Ministerial Review of the Roles and Responsibilities of Councillors in Northern Ireland.
Other News In Brief
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04 September 2025
Warning After Victim Loses £20,000 In Online Course Scam
A member of the public in Ards and North Down recently lost £20 thousand in an online scam that promised a personal development language certificate. Police have issued a warning to the public to be cautious of fraudulent websites and online advertisements following the report.
Warning After Victim Loses £20,000 In Online Course Scam
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04 September 2025
More Than 2,100 Motoring Offences Over Bank Holiday Weekend
Figures released by the Police Service have revealed that more than 2,100 motoring offences were detected in Northern Ireland during a three-day road safety operation over the summer bank holiday weekend, from Saturday, 23 August to Monday, 25 August 2025.
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Figures released by the Police Service have revealed that more than 2,100 motoring offences were detected in Northern Ireland during a three-day road safety operation over the summer bank holiday weekend, from Saturday, 23 August to Monday, 25 August 2025.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.