News

Law Centre NI responds to reports of “sham advisers” abusing the immigration system

The Law Centre condemns “sham advisers” who exploit migrants with fraudulent applications, stressing they are criminals—not legitimate professionals. While wrongdoing should be exposed, such cases are rare and shouldn’t overshadow the real risks faced by LGBTQI+ individuals and domestic abuse survivors, who often lack adequate protection.

Marking Four Years of the Ukraine Assistance Centres

Four years ago, Ukraine Assistance Centres (UACs) were established in Northern Ireland to support people fleeing the war in Ukraine. Operating for 18 months, they provided vital, coordinated access to services and supported thousands, including over 1,000 families with immigration advice. Widely seen as a successful and compassionate model, the UACs demonstrated the value of strong multi-agency collaboration. The same commitment to multi-agency working is urgently needed to ensure that everyone seeking sanctuary - regardless of which country they are fleeing from - can avail of a warm welcome and specialist support.

Major Changes to Statutory Sick Pay in Northern Ireland from April 2026

From April 2026, Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) in Northern Ireland will undergo significant reforms following changes introduced by the UK Government through the Employment Rights Act 2025. The reforms will widen access to sick pay and ensure that workers are not left without income when illness prevents them from working.

Communications regarding the removal of the Universal Credit Two Child Limit

Law Centre NI are pleased that the Department for Communities have issued communication in advance of the removal of the Universal Credit Two Child Limit, which will shortly come into effect on 6 April 2026.

Advice on PIP in Northern Ireland: Law Centre NI Guide for PIP Advisers

This guide is designed to support advisers to provide advice and assistance to those involved with Personal Independence Payment (PIP). It was designed to allow advisers to quickly identify and understand the relevant criteria involved in an award of PIP.

Refugee facts and statistics: Northern Ireland briefing resource

This briefing resource is developed and updated regularly using statistics datasets released quarterly by the Home Office. This release has been updated with the assistance of Eimear Carey, Law Centre NI intern from Queen's University Belfast.

Law Centre NI responds to the NI Executive’s Draft Disability Strategy 2025-35 Consultation

We have published our response to the NI Executive's Draft Disability Strategy 2025-2035 consultation.

A Guide to Judicial Mediation and Judicial Assessment

In this Guide, Law Centre NI provides information and guidance on Judicial Mediation and Judicial Assessment. Judicial Mediation and Judicial Assessment were introduced to the Employment Tribunal in Northern Ireland in March 2023 to provide opportunities for parties to an Employment Tribunal case to resolve their dispute without the need of a formal hearing.

Owen McCloskey, Head of Social Security at Law Centre NI, has been appointed to the Social Security Advisory Committee

Owen McCloskey, Head of Social Security at Law Centre NI, has been appointed as a member of the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC). In this role, he will provide expert insight on social security policy, advocating for the rights and protections of households across Northern Ireland.

Reflections from Law Centre NI’s Annual Social Security Conference

We have shared our reflections and key takeaways from our Annual Social Security Conference.

Law Centre NI responds to the Department of Finance’s Draft Budget 2026 – 29/30 Consultation

We have published our response to the Department of Finance's Draft Budget 2026 – 2029/30 consultation.

Statement from the Cliff Edge Coalition: The Universal Credit (Removal of the Two Child Limit) Bill

The Cliff Edge Coalition have published a statement following the NI Assembly's agreement to grant legislative consent to the Universal Credit (Removal of the Two Child Limit) Bill.