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18/05/2006
Team to tackle delay in criminal justice system
Criminal Justice Minister David Hanson has announced that a dedicated team has been set up to look at how criminal cases can be put before the courts more quickly.
This follows the publication of a report by Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland (CJINI) into delays in the system which found that cases were taking almost twice as long to reach the courts as similar cases in England.
Mr Hanson said: “We accept the findings of the report that cases are taking too long and, as recommended, have set up a dedicated inter-agency team to develop a new strategy to deliver improvements to case processing time, which will report to Ministers by July.
“The timeliness with which the criminal justice system dispenses justice is an important element in its effectiveness and efficiency and in maintaining and raising public confidence.
“This strategy will be the keystone of our campaign to reduce delay, and to deliver tangible results quickly. The strategy will draw where it can from best practice in England and Wales.
“All the key criminal justice agencies are fully aware of the need for improvement and have been engaged in considerable efforts already to achieve higher levels of efficiency and effectiveness in case processing.
“The Attorney General and Lord Chancellor share our commitment to improve performance in this key area. We will work together to ensure that the core agencies continue to make the changes necessary to achieve the targets that we set”.
In a statement the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) today said that the CJINI inspection took place when both the police and the Public Prosection Service (PPS) were "becoming familiar with new roles, systems and processes which were being put in place."
The PSNI said that it recognised improvements needed to be made and were already taking steps to address the concerns.
A police spokesperson said: "We are satisfied that progress has been made since the inspection took place and appropriate checks and balances are in place to monitor performance of case quality."
The spokesperson said that a Superintendent has been appointed to the team and police would "continue to seek further improvements".
(SP)
This follows the publication of a report by Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland (CJINI) into delays in the system which found that cases were taking almost twice as long to reach the courts as similar cases in England.
Mr Hanson said: “We accept the findings of the report that cases are taking too long and, as recommended, have set up a dedicated inter-agency team to develop a new strategy to deliver improvements to case processing time, which will report to Ministers by July.
“The timeliness with which the criminal justice system dispenses justice is an important element in its effectiveness and efficiency and in maintaining and raising public confidence.
“This strategy will be the keystone of our campaign to reduce delay, and to deliver tangible results quickly. The strategy will draw where it can from best practice in England and Wales.
“All the key criminal justice agencies are fully aware of the need for improvement and have been engaged in considerable efforts already to achieve higher levels of efficiency and effectiveness in case processing.
“The Attorney General and Lord Chancellor share our commitment to improve performance in this key area. We will work together to ensure that the core agencies continue to make the changes necessary to achieve the targets that we set”.
In a statement the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) today said that the CJINI inspection took place when both the police and the Public Prosection Service (PPS) were "becoming familiar with new roles, systems and processes which were being put in place."
The PSNI said that it recognised improvements needed to be made and were already taking steps to address the concerns.
A police spokesperson said: "We are satisfied that progress has been made since the inspection took place and appropriate checks and balances are in place to monitor performance of case quality."
The spokesperson said that a Superintendent has been appointed to the team and police would "continue to seek further improvements".
(SP)
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