NI hospitals: Over 9,000 patients contacted in review
More than 9,000 patients in Northern Ireland have been contacted in a review of a radiologist who analysed images such as x-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans and MRIs in various hospitals. A General Medical Council spokesperson said they were investigating “serious concerns”. Read more
Drink Drivers to be Automatically Offered Rehabilitation Course
From Monday 28th June 2021, any individual convicted of a drink driving offence in Northern Ireland will be automatically given the opportunity to undertake rehabilitation training. Completion of this course will result in the individual’s disqualification period being reduced by up to 25%. Read more
Divorce and the division of Crypto Currency.
In Northern Ireland divorcing couples must make full and frank discovery of all financial documentation held by each of them. This may include savings, investments, premium bonds, ISAs and, in these times, bitcoin and crypto currency. Read more
Discrimination and Bullying in the Workplace
In a survey conducted by BUPA earlier this year, 26% of workers said they had experience of being bullied in the last three years. As well as an increase in bullying, the research also found more than a quarter (28 per cent) of those polled had personally experienced discrimination at work, increasing to 35 per cent among women and 40 per cent among disabled employees. Read more
Agile Working
With further restrictions being eased in Northern Ireland this week, the public are being cautiously optimistic that phrases such as ‘lockdown’ and ‘the new normal’ will soon be a thing of the past. Despite over 12 months of home confinement, some individuals are not quite ready to give up working in their slippers for a return to the office full-time. Read more
Cock a doodle doo – Neighbourly Disputes
It was recently reported in the media that a German farmer is defending her cockerel’s ‘right to crow’ in court proceedings. The case has attracted nationwide attention and is reinforcing calls for the sounds of rural life to be protected. Read more
#MySuperheroRun in support of AGE NI
McCartan Turkington Breen are proud to be supporting AGE NI. Some of our staff recently took part in My Superhero Run, a 5km fun run. Dressed in superhero masks and capes, we ran from our office on Gloucester Street to HMS Caroline and back. Read more
Leading the way: Colin Mitchell interviews with Modern Insurance Magazine
Senior Partner Colin Mitchell was interviewed in this month’s edition of Modern Insurance Magazine. You can read his thoughts and comments on the topic of leadership below.
Action Taken Against TikTok Over Alleged Children’s Data Protection Breach
2020 was a year most of us would like to forget. The lockdown meant that most people sought entertainment by different means, whether it be by watching shows on Netflix, baking at home or by downloading entertaining apps on our phones. Read more
DIY Divorce
A year of lockdown has seen a rise in separation and divorce and with many people on furlough or out of work they have decided to opt for a “DIY divorce”.
The court service website helpfully provides copies of the necessary forms and gives some guidance notes, but there are potential pitfalls which can lead to unnecessary disharmony and only serves to widen the gap between the couple. Read more
Dr Michael Watt: Nearly 1 in 5 Patients Misdiagnosed
Health Minister Robin Swann has stated that almost 20% of patients treated by Consultant Neurologist Dr Michael Watt were given the wrong diagnosis. Mr Swann, who “unreservedly apologised” to patients who have been affected, was speaking as the Belfast Trust announced the recall of a further 209 neurology patients seen and discharged by Dr Watt between 1996 and 2012. Read more
Andrew Morrow drafts Multi-Year Kit Deal for Larne Football Club
Andrew Morrow was delighted to act for Larne Football Club in drafting a five-year kit deal with ClubSport NI which will see the club continue its close association with sportswear giants Nike.
Andrew said “I have been working with Kenny Bruce (Director) and Niall Curneen (General Manager) at Larne F.C. Read more
Colin Mitchell contributes to the Modern Insurance Magazine
Senior Partner Colin Mitchell contributed to this month’s edition of Modern Insurance Magazine. Colin discussed the expectations of policyholders and the need for motor insurers to be transparent as regards the repair process. Colin also provided his insights into the position of credit hire recoveries in Northern Ireland generally. Read more
New Credit Hire Judgments for Northern Ireland
On the 8th March 2020 judgments in two credit hire appeals were handed down in the Northern Ireland Queen’s Bench Division. In Northern Ireland QBD decisions are binding on our County Court where most credit hire matters are heard. Read more
Aleric Turtle acts in sale of renewable energy business
Aleric Turtle is delighted to have acted in the recent sale of a wind turbine business in Northern Ireland. If you need any legal advice in relation to renewable energy projects or business sales and purchases generally please contact him at aleric.turtle@mtb-law.co.uk Read more
McCartan Turkington Breen flag raised at the top of Mount Kilimanjaro
McCartan Turkington Breen’s flag was raised at Africa’s highest point this week by Adam Telford, son of our Consultant Ernie Telford.
Adam, an accountant who is based in Dubai, decided to climb the 6,000m Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania to raise monies for the Tessa Jowell Foundation after his mother-in-law, Liz Hill, passed away following a short battle with Stage 4 brain cancer. Read more
Supreme Court hands down its judgment in business interruption insurance test case
On Friday 15th January 2021 the Supreme Court handed down judgment in the Covid-19 Business Interruption Insurance test case and found largely in favour of policy holders receiving payments from business interruption insurance policies.
The complex ruling, which mainly dealt with disease clauses and prevention of access clauses, will reportedly impact 700 types of policies, 60 insurers and 370,000 small businesses. Read more
New Senior Partner at McCartan Turkington Breen
December 2020 at McCartan Turkington Breen sees Viv Harty step down from his role as Senior Partner within the firm. Viv will continue to be a huge part of the team and we are delighted that he will be staying on as a Consultant for the foreseeable future. Read more
MTB Partner, John McShane, “Braves the Shave”
Our Partner, John McShane, very kindly agreed to “brave the shave” in an effort to raise money for a very worthwhile cause, MacMillan Cancer Support. John had his hair shaved by his wife, Lauren, last Friday in what was a traumatic experience for them both. Read more
Covid-19 and your Employment Rights
Our Partner, John McShane, today presented to NIPSA members on the protections afforded to employees under Article 68 of Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (“ERO”). A copy of the lecture notes used by John can be accessed here. Read more
