08/07/2025
Justice Minister Consults On Expanding Out-of-Court Disposals
Justice Minister Naomi Long has initiated a public consultation to gather views on whether the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) should be afforded greater powers to manage certain offences through out-of-court disposals.
These proposals are designed to provide a more timely and proportionate response to a range of offending behaviours, thereby freeing up capacity and resources within the court system for more serious cases and accelerating the overall delivery of justice.
Launching the consultation, Minister Long acknowledged the persistent challenges within the criminal justice system. "Our criminal justice system continues to be under significant pressure; there are still significant backlogs in our courts, and cases are taking too long," she stated.
The Minister emphasised that tackling delays remains a longstanding priority for her Department and its partners, recognising it as a complex issue not unique to Northern Ireland. "The benefits of dealing with cases more quickly through the use of out-of-court disposals, where appropriate, are well recognised and can deliver swift and effective justice which can help to deter future offending," she added.
Minister Long clarified the intent behind the proposals: "This isn't about letting offenders off the hook, but delivering punishments in the most appropriate way and maximising court capacity to deal with the most serious cases quicker. The proposals outlined in the consultation paper provide us with the opportunity to re-balance our system by finding better, more efficient ways of dealing with low-level offending."
The Department of Justice is keen to hear from a broad spectrum of the public, including community and voluntary organisations, and anyone else with an interest in Northern Ireland's criminal justice system.
The consultation opened today, Tuesday, 8 July 2025, and will remain open until Sunday, 28 September 2025. Access to the consultation document is available via the Publication Section of the Department of Justice website.
These proposals are designed to provide a more timely and proportionate response to a range of offending behaviours, thereby freeing up capacity and resources within the court system for more serious cases and accelerating the overall delivery of justice.
Launching the consultation, Minister Long acknowledged the persistent challenges within the criminal justice system. "Our criminal justice system continues to be under significant pressure; there are still significant backlogs in our courts, and cases are taking too long," she stated.
Minister Long clarified the intent behind the proposals: "This isn't about letting offenders off the hook, but delivering punishments in the most appropriate way and maximising court capacity to deal with the most serious cases quicker. The proposals outlined in the consultation paper provide us with the opportunity to re-balance our system by finding better, more efficient ways of dealing with low-level offending."
The Department of Justice is keen to hear from a broad spectrum of the public, including community and voluntary organisations, and anyone else with an interest in Northern Ireland's criminal justice system.
The consultation opened today, Tuesday, 8 July 2025, and will remain open until Sunday, 28 September 2025. Access to the consultation document is available via the Publication Section of the Department of Justice website.
Latest Northern Ireland News
08 July 2025
Man Jailed For Manslaughter Of Father Of Five In Portrush
Jason Murray, aged 42, appeared before Belfast Crown Court today, Tuesday, 8 July 2025, where he was sentenced for the manslaughter of Paul Rowlands in Portrush in July 2022. Murray received an indeterminate sentence, meaning he must serve a minimum of eight years in custody before becoming eligible for parole consideration.
Man Jailed For Manslaughter Of Father Of Five In Portrush
Jason Murray, aged 42, appeared before Belfast Crown Court today, Tuesday, 8 July 2025, where he was sentenced for the manslaughter of Paul Rowlands in Portrush in July 2022. Murray received an indeterminate sentence, meaning he must serve a minimum of eight years in custody before becoming eligible for parole consideration.
08 July 2025
Free School Meals And Uniform Grant Threshold Increased
Education Minister Paul Givan has confirmed an increase in the income threshold for free school meals and the school uniform grant, providing crucial financial assistance to low-income families across Northern Ireland.
Free School Meals And Uniform Grant Threshold Increased
Education Minister Paul Givan has confirmed an increase in the income threshold for free school meals and the school uniform grant, providing crucial financial assistance to low-income families across Northern Ireland.
08 July 2025
SDLP Questions DAERA Minister Over Asbestos At Bonfire Site
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O’Toole has raised serious concerns regarding the failure of the AERA Minister, Andrew Muir, to intervene at a bonfire site in south Belfast that contains large quantities of asbestos. The bonfire, located near Meridi Street, is set to be lit within days.
SDLP Questions DAERA Minister Over Asbestos At Bonfire Site
SDLP Leader of the Opposition Matthew O’Toole has raised serious concerns regarding the failure of the AERA Minister, Andrew Muir, to intervene at a bonfire site in south Belfast that contains large quantities of asbestos. The bonfire, located near Meridi Street, is set to be lit within days.
08 July 2025
Man Arrested On Suspicion Of Drug Driving and Child Restraint Offences
District Support Team officers in L'Derry arrested a 42-year-old man on Sunday night, 6 July 2025, on suspicion of several traffic-related offences. Police were alerted to a vehicle, which had a child passenger, at approximately 22:20 in the Springtown area.
Man Arrested On Suspicion Of Drug Driving and Child Restraint Offences
District Support Team officers in L'Derry arrested a 42-year-old man on Sunday night, 6 July 2025, on suspicion of several traffic-related offences. Police were alerted to a vehicle, which had a child passenger, at approximately 22:20 in the Springtown area.
08 July 2025
Justice Minister Consults On Expanding Out-of-Court Disposals
Justice Minister Naomi Long has initiated a public consultation to gather views on whether the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) should be afforded greater powers to manage certain offences through out-of-court disposals.
Justice Minister Consults On Expanding Out-of-Court Disposals
Justice Minister Naomi Long has initiated a public consultation to gather views on whether the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) should be afforded greater powers to manage certain offences through out-of-court disposals.
08 July 2025
Expert Group Established to Review NI Dog Breeding Regulations
A new expert advisory group tasked with reviewing Dog Breeding Regulations in Northern Ireland has been announced by DAERA Minister Andrew Muir. This review is identified as one of the key priorities within the Minister's broader Animal Welfare Pathway, and will also examine whether there is a need to regulate canine fertility services.
Expert Group Established to Review NI Dog Breeding Regulations
A new expert advisory group tasked with reviewing Dog Breeding Regulations in Northern Ireland has been announced by DAERA Minister Andrew Muir. This review is identified as one of the key priorities within the Minister's broader Animal Welfare Pathway, and will also examine whether there is a need to regulate canine fertility services.
08 July 2025
Other News In Brief
Complaint Against Councillor for Using Irish Language Dismissed Sinn Féin councillor Maighréad Ní Chonghaile has welcomed the dismissal of a complaint made against her for speaking in Irish (an Ghaeilge) during a meeting of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council.
Other News In Brief
Complaint Against Councillor for Using Irish Language Dismissed Sinn Féin councillor Maighréad Ní Chonghaile has welcomed the dismissal of a complaint made against her for speaking in Irish (an Ghaeilge) during a meeting of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council.
07 July 2025
New Social Media Campaign On Driver Fitness And Road Safety
A new social media campaign designed to enhance awareness around fitness to drive, reminding all motorists in Northern Ireland about their responsibilities for road safety, has been launched the Department for Infrastructure (DfI). The campaign features two key elements.
New Social Media Campaign On Driver Fitness And Road Safety
A new social media campaign designed to enhance awareness around fitness to drive, reminding all motorists in Northern Ireland about their responsibilities for road safety, has been launched the Department for Infrastructure (DfI). The campaign features two key elements.
07 July 2025
Justice Minister Welcomes Elizabeth Emblem For NI Recipients
The first list of recipients for The Elizabeth Emblem in Northern Ireland has been revealed.. The new award, introduced in March last year, serves to commemorate individuals who have lost their lives in the course of public service.
Justice Minister Welcomes Elizabeth Emblem For NI Recipients
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07 July 2025
Opportunity For NI To Retain Benefit Fraud Savings
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has expressed his satisfaction with HM Treasury's decision to consider a proposal that would enable Northern Ireland to retain a share of savings generated from tackling benefit fraud and error. This potential agreement could redirect substantial funds back into local public services.
Opportunity For NI To Retain Benefit Fraud Savings
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has expressed his satisfaction with HM Treasury's decision to consider a proposal that would enable Northern Ireland to retain a share of savings generated from tackling benefit fraud and error. This potential agreement could redirect substantial funds back into local public services.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.