Judges' Sentencing Guidelines To Go Online

Justice Minister David Ford has welcomed a Judicial Report on Sentencing Guidance published this week by the Lord Chief Justice.

This Judicial Report on Sentencing Guidance makes recommendations on monitoring and developing sentencing guidance for all court tiers that will enhance consistency and increase public confidence in the courts.

One measure is the news that the guidelines for Northern Ireland judges for sentencing criminals are to be published on the internet.

Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan said it was one of a number of measures aimed at enhancing consistency and increasing public confidence in sentencing.

Judges will be able to identify areas where guidance is required, rather than waiting for Court of Appeal rulings.

A list of priority sentencing areas is to be released in September.

The Alliance MLA and Justice Minister, David Ford commented: "The importance of public confidence in sentencing was recognised in the Hillsborough Agreement which made a commitment that the establishment of a Sentencing Guidelines Council would be considered for Northern Ireland.

"I will be meeting that commitment by publishing, in the autumn, a consultation on a sentencing guidelines mechanism. I have been discussing this with the Lord Chief Justice and his announcement today makes a valuable contribution to this work.

"It is recognised that public confidence in the criminal justice system is very often affected by sentencing issues so these proposals, which identify ways to enhance consistency in sentencing, are very welcome," he said.

"At times, public expectations around sentencing are a long way from what may be appropriate in an individual case.

"We have work to do in helping our community understand and think about the issues impacting on sentencing decisions," the MLA continued.

"The measures proposed in this report will not only provide valuable support to judges in making their decisions, but will also help to make the process more transparent."

(BMcC/GK)