Justice Bill seminar
Date: Thursday 21st October 2010
Venue: Stormont Hotel, Belfast
Background to the Justice Bill
The devolution of policing and justice powers, which took place in April of this year, has created local accountability for justice, the opportunity to identify local solutions to local needs and a real potential for partnership across the devolved administration to build a safer Northern Ireland with lower levels of crime.
The act of devolution was described by the new Justice Minister David Ford on ‘devolution day’ as a “staging post” and the start of a “process that must deliver for the people of Northern Ireland”. One of the first, and most important stages in this process will be the introduction of a Justice Bill before the Assembly in the autumn. The Justice Bill, along with the next Programme for Government, will have a key role in addressing the priorities of the Justice Minister and his department as well as the overall aims of the justice system. The Bill will be the first piece of home grown justice legislation in Northern Ireland in almost 40 years.
The proposals for a Justice Bill have their origins across a range of issues and interests and are intended to bring significant benefits to the justice system and those who come into contact with it. The strategic aims of the Bill are: to improve confidence in the justice system; at a community level to enhance community engagement and safety; at a business level to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the justice system and at a qualitative level to improve access to justice, services to the public and services to victims.
The four key themes of the proposed Justice Bill are:
- Victims and witnesses
- Community engagement and public safety
- Better service delivery and system efficiency
- Operational improvements.
Briefing
This morning briefing will examine these four key aims of the Justice Bill in detail and look at how the proposals in the draft Bill seeks to address these core issues. The briefing will be delivered by experienced practitioners within the local justice system who will share their views and knowledge with attendees.
Featured speakers include:
| Gareth Johnston Deputy Director Justice Strategy Division, Department of Justice |
Alex Maskey, MLA Chairman Community Engagement Committee Northern Ireland Policing Board |
| Olwen Lyner Chief Executive Officer NIACRO |
Brian McCaughey Director of Probation Probation Board for Northern Ireland |
* View seminar programme.
Download the full seminar brochure here [PDF] >