Clause 1 - Guarantee of continued judicial independence
Justice (Northern Ireland) Bill
12:30 pm
Mr Des Browne (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Northern Ireland Office; Kilmarnock and Loudoun, Labour)
I shall speak briefly, given that we have extensively debated aspects of the clause.
The clause places those with responsibility for the administration of justice in Northern Ireland—I defined them earlier, so will not go over that again—under a duty to uphold the continued independence of the judiciary. The criminal justice review group's terms of reference under the Belfast agreement specifically required that it should consider safeguarding the independence of the judiciary. In making its recommendation, the review group drew on views expressed during the consultation period and took account of human rights instruments and international best practice. It recommended that primary Westminster legislation enshrine the independence of the judiciary, and the Government agree that the independence of the judiciary is of paramount importance and must be protected. I commend the clause to the Committee.