Menu
18/10/2010
Justice Bill Seeks Better Deal For Victims
For the first time in four decades, a new Justice Bill has been published in Northern Ireland.
It is 40 years since a Northern Ireland Minister last presented legislation on criminal justice measures to locally elected representatives and now the new measures propose - among other things - that offenders in Northern Ireland will have to contribute towards a fund for the victims of crime under proposals contained in the new Justice Bill.
The legislation includes provision for the introduction of an offender levy, the proceeds of which will help to raise money for victims' services.
The Bill also includes proposals to expand the use of on-the-spot fines for minor offences, such as disorderly behaviour, breaches of the peace, criminal damage and shoplifting.
It is also designed to enhance and improve community safety law.
Stormont Justice Minister David Ford of the Alliance party introduced the Bill and said it contains 108 clauses, has seven schedules and when it passes into law, will enhance services to victims through a new offender levy scheme and special measures for vulnerable victims and witnesses.
It will also seek to streamline the justice system, enhance community safety and reform Legal Aid.
David Ford said: "When I took on the post of Justice Minister just over six months ago, I set out my ambition to reshape the justice system, to build a safer Northern Ireland with lower levels of crime; safer shared communities and justice for all. This Justice Bill is an important part of that agenda."
As well as the offender levy proposal, the Bill proposes the issuing of fixed penalties fines for a range of offences and the creation of new Policing and Community Safety Partnerships to help tackle crime at a local level.
"Victims must be at the heart of the criminal justice system and for too long that has not always been the case in Northern Ireland. I want to change that.
"The proposal of an offender levy would allow for services already provided to victims to be enhanced. This is one of a range of measures I intend to take forward to ensure that victims of crime receive the appropriate support from the minute they enter the criminal justice system," the Minister continued.
"I am also determined to speed up the justice system and have included a range of proposals as alternatives to prosecution. For a limited number of offences, an offender could agree to be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice by the police.
"This is not being soft on crime. It is an appropriate measure being taken by officers in a clearly identifiable set of circumstances. It will allow officers to remain on the streets and free up the courts to deal with the more serious offences," he said.
The Minister described the introduction of the Bill into the Assembly as further evidence that devolution is working for all the people of Northern Ireland.
(BMcC/GK)
It is 40 years since a Northern Ireland Minister last presented legislation on criminal justice measures to locally elected representatives and now the new measures propose - among other things - that offenders in Northern Ireland will have to contribute towards a fund for the victims of crime under proposals contained in the new Justice Bill.
The legislation includes provision for the introduction of an offender levy, the proceeds of which will help to raise money for victims' services.
The Bill also includes proposals to expand the use of on-the-spot fines for minor offences, such as disorderly behaviour, breaches of the peace, criminal damage and shoplifting.
It is also designed to enhance and improve community safety law.
Stormont Justice Minister David Ford of the Alliance party introduced the Bill and said it contains 108 clauses, has seven schedules and when it passes into law, will enhance services to victims through a new offender levy scheme and special measures for vulnerable victims and witnesses.
It will also seek to streamline the justice system, enhance community safety and reform Legal Aid.
David Ford said: "When I took on the post of Justice Minister just over six months ago, I set out my ambition to reshape the justice system, to build a safer Northern Ireland with lower levels of crime; safer shared communities and justice for all. This Justice Bill is an important part of that agenda."
As well as the offender levy proposal, the Bill proposes the issuing of fixed penalties fines for a range of offences and the creation of new Policing and Community Safety Partnerships to help tackle crime at a local level.
"Victims must be at the heart of the criminal justice system and for too long that has not always been the case in Northern Ireland. I want to change that.
"The proposal of an offender levy would allow for services already provided to victims to be enhanced. This is one of a range of measures I intend to take forward to ensure that victims of crime receive the appropriate support from the minute they enter the criminal justice system," the Minister continued.
"I am also determined to speed up the justice system and have included a range of proposals as alternatives to prosecution. For a limited number of offences, an offender could agree to be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice by the police.
"This is not being soft on crime. It is an appropriate measure being taken by officers in a clearly identifiable set of circumstances. It will allow officers to remain on the streets and free up the courts to deal with the more serious offences," he said.
The Minister described the introduction of the Bill into the Assembly as further evidence that devolution is working for all the people of Northern Ireland.
(BMcC/GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
19 September 2024
New Justice Bill 2024 Introduced To NI Assembly
Justice Minister Naomi Long has introduced the Justice Bill 2024 to the Northern Ireland Assembly. The new Bill contains a range of significant reforms to the justice system and delivers on several of the Minister's priorities for change. The Justice Bill has four core aims: • to amend retention periods for biometric material.
New Justice Bill 2024 Introduced To NI Assembly
Justice Minister Naomi Long has introduced the Justice Bill 2024 to the Northern Ireland Assembly. The new Bill contains a range of significant reforms to the justice system and delivers on several of the Minister's priorities for change. The Justice Bill has four core aims: • to amend retention periods for biometric material.
12 June 2006
Tougher sentences proposed for NI criminals
Those found guilty of sexual or violent knife crimes in Northern Ireland could face tougher sentences following the government's plans to review sentencing policies.
Tougher sentences proposed for NI criminals
Those found guilty of sexual or violent knife crimes in Northern Ireland could face tougher sentences following the government's plans to review sentencing policies.
15 December 2011
Women Left 'Shaken' After Shooting
The PSNI are today probing an overnight shooting in Co Londonderry. The incident was at Hawthorne Place in Coleraine and saw three masked men entering a house shortly before 5pm on Wednesday and then firing a shot into a wall in the property before the three made off.
Women Left 'Shaken' After Shooting
The PSNI are today probing an overnight shooting in Co Londonderry. The incident was at Hawthorne Place in Coleraine and saw three masked men entering a house shortly before 5pm on Wednesday and then firing a shot into a wall in the property before the three made off.
21 July 2023
DoJ Publishes New Protocol For Delivery Of Restorative Justice
A new Protocol for the delivery of restorative justice in Northern Ireland has been published by the Department of Justice (DoJ). The new 2023 Protocol will govern the use of restorative interventions in the criminal justice system in NI and details how a new accreditation process will work for organisations and individuals.
DoJ Publishes New Protocol For Delivery Of Restorative Justice
A new Protocol for the delivery of restorative justice in Northern Ireland has been published by the Department of Justice (DoJ). The new 2023 Protocol will govern the use of restorative interventions in the criminal justice system in NI and details how a new accreditation process will work for organisations and individuals.
13 April 2010
New Era Of NI Policing Begins
As the NI Policing Board welcomed devolution of the last powers to Stormont yesterday, the newly installed NI Justice Minister David Ford has said that his appointment heralds a new era.
New Era Of NI Policing Begins
As the NI Policing Board welcomed devolution of the last powers to Stormont yesterday, the newly installed NI Justice Minister David Ford has said that his appointment heralds a new era.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
