Tughans Solicitors

Trusts as a form of succession planning: Lessons from the Murdoch family trust

Tughans Solicitors

Rupert Murdoch, 93 year old billionaire, whose holdings include huge media outlets Fox News, The Wall Street Journal and the New York Post among others, has been attempting to alter a family trust created by him in circa 1999.   Like many business-minded parents, Mr Murdoch underwent a succession planning exercise, involving his four children…

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Tughans Maria O’Loan recognised in The ENDS Report Power List

Tughans Solicitors

Tughans LLP is pleased to announce that Maria O’Loan, Head of the firms Planning & Environment practice, has been included in the 2025 The ENDS Report Power List, recognising the UK’s 100 most influential environmental professionals.   This prestigious list celebrates individuals nominated by peers, clients, and industry stakeholders for their impact on shaping environmental policy…

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Update on the “Good Jobs” Employment Rights Bill

Tughans Solicitors

On 28 April 2025, the Minister for the Economy, Caoimhe Archibald, delivered an update on the Good Jobs Employment Rights Bill in the Northern Ireland Assembly. If implemented, they will represent the largest reform of Northern Ireland’s employment legislation in around 25 years.   The Minister outlined proposals across four main themes: Terms of employment…

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A step towards better clinical negligence case management – New high court practice directions introduced in Ireland

Tughans Solicitors

On April 9, 2025, the President of the High Court in Ireland, Mr Justice David Barniville, introduced two new Practice Directions for Clinical Negligence cases, designed to promote structured case management and encourage a timely resolution of claims.   Practice Direction HC132 Effective from 28th April 2025, Practice Direction HC132 establishes a ‘Clinical Negligence List’…

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Court awards Plaintiff €7,500 in “serious end of the scale” data breach case

Tughans Solicitors

A recent judgement in the Dublin Circuit Court in the matter of M.H. v the Child and Family Agency provides further insight on the assessment of claims for non-material damage concerning breaches of data under GDPR.   Facts of the case The case was brought against the Child and Family Agency for an unlawful disclosure…

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Estate planning to include digital assets in the UK

Tughans Solicitors

The Property (Digital Assets etc) Bill (‘the Bill’) was introduced by the UK government into the House of Lords in September 2024 with the aim of clarifying the concept of ‘digital assets’ as personal property in England and Wales. The Bill has since passed second reading and in February 2025, was amended by a special public…

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An Eye for Detail: A Recent High Court Ruling in an Ophthalmic Surgery Claim

Tughans Solicitors

Expert evidence plays a pivotal role in nearly every clinical negligence claim, with the trial outcome often depending on which expert opinion the Judge favors – that of the claimant or the defendant. The recent High Court ruling in Lochrie v Edwards underscores the critical importance of how evidence is presented with a consent case….

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Tughans’ Maria O’Loan recognised in The Planner’s Women of Influence 2025

Tughans Solicitors

Tughans is proud to announce that Maria O’Loan, Head of the firms Planning & Environment practice, has been named as one of The Planner’s Women of Influence 2025. The annual list recognises professionals who have made a significant impact on the planning and environmental sectors across the UK and Ireland.   Maria’s inclusion in the…

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Tughans named NI’s most active corporate law firm for 10th year in a row

Tughans Solicitors

Tughans Law firm has topped Experian league table every year since 2015.   Belfast-based law firm Tughans has been ranked as Northern Ireland’s most active legal advisor for corporate and property transactions by leading industry data provider Experian, claiming the accolade for the tenth year in a row.   The firm advised on 94 of the…

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Does a Beneficiary Disclaiming a gift constitute a ‘Failure’?

Tughans Solicitors

In a recent case heard before the High Court of England and Wales, the son (the defendant) of Elfed Williams (the deceased) stood to inherit one sixth of his father’s residuary estate by virtue of his Will. The only child of the deceased was estranged from his father and so disclaimed his entitlement to the residuary…

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