Seminar hears opinion on future of legal system
From IRISH TIMES May 7th, 1999
By GERRY MORIARTY
It is vital to create a criminal justice system in Northern Ireland that
is acceptable to the broad community, according to Mr Jim Daniell, who is
charged with reviewing the current system. Mr Daniell, chairman of the Criminal
Justice Review Group, yesterday hosted in Belfast one of a series of seven
seminars designed to hear professional and public opinion on how the current
system might be improved. The review was established as part of the Belfast
Agreement, and its proposals are due to be published in the autumn. Its
remit does not cover policing, emergency legislation, non-jury courts or
paramilitary crime, which come under other reviews. So far the group has
visited the Republic, Belgium, Canada, England, Germany, the Netherlands,
Scotland, South Africa, New Zealand and the US to examine how other jurisdictions
deliver criminal justice, said Mr Daniell yesterday. The group is examining
a range of issues including judicial appointments, greater openness within
the system, the prison system, the possible establishment of a Law Reform
Commission, the workings of the prosecution process, restorative justice,
and greater North-South co-operation on criminal justice matters. Mr Daniell
said the group had an "open mind" on all the issues raised about the future
criminal justice system for the North. The Falls Community Council has said
the success of the Criminal Justice Review was being jeopardised by a consultation
process which was not inclusive. Mr Ciaran Kearney, of the Council, complained
that many community organisations and human rights groups had not been notified
about yesterday's seminar. |
