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03/03/2010
NI's Non-Jury Trials To Remain
Serious criminal cases heard before a judge - sitting without a jury - are to remain as part of the judicial system.
Non-jury trials in Northern Ireland are being used less frequently but are still an essential option to ensure fair trials, Criminal Justice Minister Paul Goggins has said.
The Minister has reported to Parliament that the Director of Public Prosecutions issued 13 certificates for non-jury trials during the 12 month period from 1 August 2008 to 31 July 2009, down from 29 the previous year.
He reaffirmed the Government's commitment to review the current legislation prior to July 2011.
Paul Goggins said: "Since the law changed in 2007, the presumption now is that all indictable cases are tried before a jury, but in a small number of cases the judgment is taken that the administration of justice might be impaired if there was a jury trial.
"That is why the legislation which allows for non-jury trials is still in place. The number of non- jury trials has fallen but we still consider that they are sometimes necessary for the delivery of a fair justice system," he continued.
"There will be a comprehensive review of the non-jury trial system, including a full public consultation, before it next falls to be renewed in July 2011.
"I look forward to the day when Government can return to jury trials in all cases," he concluded.
(BMcC/GK)
Non-jury trials in Northern Ireland are being used less frequently but are still an essential option to ensure fair trials, Criminal Justice Minister Paul Goggins has said.
The Minister has reported to Parliament that the Director of Public Prosecutions issued 13 certificates for non-jury trials during the 12 month period from 1 August 2008 to 31 July 2009, down from 29 the previous year.
He reaffirmed the Government's commitment to review the current legislation prior to July 2011.
Paul Goggins said: "Since the law changed in 2007, the presumption now is that all indictable cases are tried before a jury, but in a small number of cases the judgment is taken that the administration of justice might be impaired if there was a jury trial.
"That is why the legislation which allows for non-jury trials is still in place. The number of non- jury trials has fallen but we still consider that they are sometimes necessary for the delivery of a fair justice system," he continued.
"There will be a comprehensive review of the non-jury trial system, including a full public consultation, before it next falls to be renewed in July 2011.
"I look forward to the day when Government can return to jury trials in all cases," he concluded.
(BMcC/GK)
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