Civil Justice Modernisation

Part of Ministerial Statement – in the Northern Ireland Assembly at 11:15 am on 23 March 2021.

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Photo of Naomi Long Naomi Long Alliance 11:15, 23 March 2021

Yes, I recall. It was about third sector engagement, which is important.

I mentioned the Family Justice Board and the Civil Justice Council. It is important, for example, that we have businesses, litigants in person and so on represented on the Civil Justice Council. That would be a step forward. Equally, when it comes to the needs of children, having representatives of the children's sector and the third sector involved on those boards may help with the representation of children's needs and concerns.

It is important that we try to make the justice system more inclusive and more representative, particularly in civil and family justice. That is the part of the justice system that the vast majority of people who have interaction with justice will interact with. It tends to be the bit that people know best and, yet, are most fearful of. As we shape the justice system and plan for the future, it is important that ordinary citizens and the groups that represent their best interests are represented. If we are to keep children at the centre, engaging those organisations, particularly when looking at how we go about introducing some of the plans that we have, will be critical.