30/06/2010
Wheels Of Justice 'Grind Slow'
It is taking too long to process cases through the courts in Northern Ireland and the police and prosecutors have been urged to work more closely together to reduce the amount of time it takes.
A report by the Criminal Justice Inspection NI (CJINI) has said the process takes too long and undermines public confidence and also warns that delays could make victims of crime less likely to report it to police.
However, Assistant Chief Constable Will Kerr, (pictured) who represents the Chief Constable on the Criminal Justice Board, added: "We are committed to improving this process and substantial progress has already been made in terms of implementing the recommendations made in the last report.
"I am confident that by working in close partnership there is much more we can do.
"We already have a very good relationship with the PPS that is both mature and constructive and we recently met to agree a joint approach to address the issues contained in the report," the senior officer said.
Speaking about the publication of the Report on Avoidable Delay, the Acting Chair of the NI Policing Board, Brian Rea, said today: "The Board has been concerned for some considerable time about the interface between the PSNI and the Public Prosecution System; and the issues raised in this report now provide a basis for addressing inefficiencies across the system.
"Public confidence in the Criminal Justice System has been affected by the time it takes to progress cases.
"There is also however a significant impact on the effectiveness and efficiency of policing which the Policing Board are keen to address," he said, noting that the Board has been discussing with the Chief Constable measures not only to reduce bureaucracy within policing but also tackling the inefficiencies where policing interfaces with the criminal justice system.
However, the man who controls the system, Justice Minister David Ford has already reaffirmed his commitment to tackling avoidable delay and speeding up the justice system.
The Minister was responding to the publication of the Criminal Justice Inspection follow-up report on avoidable delay.
Mr Ford said: "I welcome the publication of the Chief Inspector's follow up report on avoidable delay. While it shows that some progress has been made since the last report, it is clear that we still have much to achieve.
Meanwhile, Jim Scholes, Acting Director of the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) said: "The PPS supports the recommendations in the Report many of which are already being taken forward in an increasingly close and effective professional relationship with police.
"The PPS welcomes the emphasis which the Report gives to improving the quality and timeliness of police investigation files. We are working collaboratively with police to secure improvements in this area and to simplify reporting arrangements," he said, but noted that "any intention to bring arrangements into line with those in England and Wales would, in the main, require legislation by the Assembly".
See full story on: Justice Wheels 'Grind Too Slowly': NI Courts Are Slammed For Delays
(BMcC/GK)
A report by the Criminal Justice Inspection NI (CJINI) has said the process takes too long and undermines public confidence and also warns that delays could make victims of crime less likely to report it to police.
However, Assistant Chief Constable Will Kerr, (pictured) who represents the Chief Constable on the Criminal Justice Board, added: "We are committed to improving this process and substantial progress has already been made in terms of implementing the recommendations made in the last report.
"I am confident that by working in close partnership there is much more we can do.
"We already have a very good relationship with the PPS that is both mature and constructive and we recently met to agree a joint approach to address the issues contained in the report," the senior officer said.
Speaking about the publication of the Report on Avoidable Delay, the Acting Chair of the NI Policing Board, Brian Rea, said today: "The Board has been concerned for some considerable time about the interface between the PSNI and the Public Prosecution System; and the issues raised in this report now provide a basis for addressing inefficiencies across the system.
"Public confidence in the Criminal Justice System has been affected by the time it takes to progress cases.
"There is also however a significant impact on the effectiveness and efficiency of policing which the Policing Board are keen to address," he said, noting that the Board has been discussing with the Chief Constable measures not only to reduce bureaucracy within policing but also tackling the inefficiencies where policing interfaces with the criminal justice system.
However, the man who controls the system, Justice Minister David Ford has already reaffirmed his commitment to tackling avoidable delay and speeding up the justice system.
The Minister was responding to the publication of the Criminal Justice Inspection follow-up report on avoidable delay.
Mr Ford said: "I welcome the publication of the Chief Inspector's follow up report on avoidable delay. While it shows that some progress has been made since the last report, it is clear that we still have much to achieve.
Meanwhile, Jim Scholes, Acting Director of the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) said: "The PPS supports the recommendations in the Report many of which are already being taken forward in an increasingly close and effective professional relationship with police.
"The PPS welcomes the emphasis which the Report gives to improving the quality and timeliness of police investigation files. We are working collaboratively with police to secure improvements in this area and to simplify reporting arrangements," he said, but noted that "any intention to bring arrangements into line with those in England and Wales would, in the main, require legislation by the Assembly".
See full story on: Justice Wheels 'Grind Too Slowly': NI Courts Are Slammed For Delays
(BMcC/GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
20 August 2024
Police Investigate Woman's Death In Magherafelt
An investigation has been launched following the death of a woman in Magherafelt. Police officers found the, aged in her 50s, unresponsive in her home in the Ashgrove Park area of the town on the afternoon of Sunday, 18 August. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police Investigate Woman's Death In Magherafelt
An investigation has been launched following the death of a woman in Magherafelt. Police officers found the, aged in her 50s, unresponsive in her home in the Ashgrove Park area of the town on the afternoon of Sunday, 18 August. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
17 July 2024
Police Appeal For Witnesses After Assault In L'Derry
The PSNI have appealed for witnesses to an assault in L'Derry which left a man with severe head injuries. The attack occurred in the Waterloo Place area of the city on Saturday 6 July at around 1.45am. The victim, who is aged in his 20s, was reported to have been punched once by another man and was taken to hospital for treatment.
Police Appeal For Witnesses After Assault In L'Derry
The PSNI have appealed for witnesses to an assault in L'Derry which left a man with severe head injuries. The attack occurred in the Waterloo Place area of the city on Saturday 6 July at around 1.45am. The victim, who is aged in his 20s, was reported to have been punched once by another man and was taken to hospital for treatment.
10 July 2024
Police Attacked During Security Alert In Creggan
The PSNI have announced that a security alert in Creggan has ended and been declared "an elaborate hoax". On the afternoon of Tuesday, 09 July, police where in the area investigating a sudden death in Mogowan Park when they discovered a suspicion device at around 7:45pm in Southway.
Police Attacked During Security Alert In Creggan
The PSNI have announced that a security alert in Creggan has ended and been declared "an elaborate hoax". On the afternoon of Tuesday, 09 July, police where in the area investigating a sudden death in Mogowan Park when they discovered a suspicion device at around 7:45pm in Southway.
21 July 2023
DoJ Publishes New Protocol For Delivery Of Restorative Justice
A new Protocol for the delivery of restorative justice in Northern Ireland has been published by the Department of Justice (DoJ). The new 2023 Protocol will govern the use of restorative interventions in the criminal justice system in NI and details how a new accreditation process will work for organisations and individuals.
DoJ Publishes New Protocol For Delivery Of Restorative Justice
A new Protocol for the delivery of restorative justice in Northern Ireland has been published by the Department of Justice (DoJ). The new 2023 Protocol will govern the use of restorative interventions in the criminal justice system in NI and details how a new accreditation process will work for organisations and individuals.
08 July 2005
Government welcomes criminal justice system reform
The Government today welcomed what it called the major advance in the reform of the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland. The statement came on Friday as Justice Oversight Commissioner Lord Clyde’s unveiled his fourth report into the criminal justice system here.
Government welcomes criminal justice system reform
The Government today welcomed what it called the major advance in the reform of the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland. The statement came on Friday as Justice Oversight Commissioner Lord Clyde’s unveiled his fourth report into the criminal justice system here.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Mostly cloudy but largely dry, perhaps the odd spot of drizzle over the hills. Best chance of any brightness across the north and west through the afternoon. A mild day. Maximum temperature 16 °C.Tonight:Staying mostly cloudy but largely dry, perhaps the odd spot of drizzle over the hills. Perhaps some clearer spells across the north and west. Minimum temperature 12 °C.