Committee Seminar Focuses on Innovation in the Criminal Justice System
Session: 2014/2015
Date: 22 April 2015
Reference: JUS 01/14/15
The Committee for Justice has hosted the first in a series of seminars focusing on the development of innovative approaches and concepts to improve the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland.
The seminar, held today (Thursday 23 April) in Parliament Buildings, specifically focused on Youth Justice and gave the Justice Committee the opportunity to meet with key stakeholders, including legal experts and children and young people’s organisations.
Chairperson of the Justice Committee, Mr Alastair Ross MLA said: “The Committee is committed to making the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland quicker, fairer, more accessible and ultimately one that makes us safer by protecting the public and rehabilitating criminals. We are keen to examine new concepts and initiatives, as well as those in other jurisdictions, which could be adopted to improve outcomes for both victims and offenders in Northern Ireland.”
Alastair Ross MLA concluded: “Many of the ideas and concepts discussed during today’s event could have the potential to improve the Youth Justice System here. It was encouraging to see discussions taking place on the innovative approaches and we look forward to examining how they would work in Northern Ireland. We were pleased to welcome Lord Chief Justice, Sir Declan Morgan QC as keynote speaker at the event and were very grateful for his valuable insight and expertise.”
The series of innovation seminars will continue on Thursday 21 May with the Bar Council making the keynote address and Thursday 18 June when the Law Society will make the address. Both Seminars will be held in Parliament Buildings.
Chairperson of the Assembly Committee for Justice Alastair Ross MLA welcomes the Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan QC to Parliament Buildings. The Lord Chief Justice delivered the key note speech at a special seminar on Youth Justice. Today’s seminar is the first in a series organised by the Assembly Committee for Justice aimed towards developing innovative approaches and concepts to improve the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland.
