North/South:Irish justice system
Friday, July 9th, 2010With everyday law and order now run from Belfast and Dublin for the first time since 1972, agendaNi reviews the main parts of the Republic’s justice system. Police An Garda Síochána Founded by Michael Collins as an unarmed force in 1922, following the disbandment of the Royal Irish Constabulary, the Garda became a national force when the Dublin Metropolitan Police merged with it in 1925. It is responsible for the Republic’s national security as well as the traditional crime investigation, public order and road safety duties. The Commissioner handles the day-to- day management...[full story]
Business Q&A:The changing legal times
Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010In discussion with agendaNi, Arthur Cox’s Alan Taylor and Peter Curran survey the changing legal services environment, including the rising demand for specialisation and commercial knowledge. Please describe your current roles. AT: My role as Managing Partner is to use the specialisation that Arthur Cox has across its more than 400 professional staff to ensure that we are able to bring to the local market the strength and depth of expertise necessary to service the demand for top quality legal input. Arthur Cox brings experience and knowledge gained from advising both the public...[full story]
Justice:Advising government
Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010In the early hours of the morning on 12 April, the Attorney General for England and Wales ceased to hold that authority over Northern Ireland. On 24 May John Larkin QC became the first Attorney General for Northern Ireland since Basil Kelly held the position in 1972. In the intervening years the British Attorney General has effectively held two posts; for England and Wales and for Northern Ireland. Unlike our closest neighbours across the Irish Sea, the post is set aside for an individual who is not a member of the government. In Scotland, for example, the equivalent Lord Advocate is...[full story]
Justice:Clearing up the bills
Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010Financial pain is on the way for the devolved justice system, if Northern Ireland does not get a grip on its legal aid bill, Dominic Grieve warned on the general election trail. The Conservatives also planned to solve the vexed bill of rights dispute by giving Northern Ireland a place in a national version. Grieve spoke to agendaNi as Shadow Justice Secretary on the election campaign trail. Ken Clarke was appointed to the post in Cameron’s new cabinet with Grieve becoming Attorney- General, the Government’s chief legal advisor. MP for Beaconsfield and a barrister by background, he...[full story]
:Fairer legal aid?
Monday, December 21st, 2009Ryan Jennings looks at the proposed changes to legal aid payments in Northern Ireland. It is a fundamental principle of justice in the UK that those who are unable to pay for their own defence have a right to legal aid. Two Court Service consultations have been released in an attempt to bring system in line with England and Wales and to reduce the amount spent on criminal legal aid cases in Northern Ireland. The legal aid budget in Northern Ireland currently stands at £90 million, with £19 million of that being spent on criminal cases and £17 million ‘very high cost’ cases. The...[full story]
