New NI Super Injunctions Granted

Two new super injunctions have been issued by a Belfast court in the last year.

TUV leader Jim Allister established by an Assembly Question that the super injunctions had been granted by the High Court in Belfast.

It is understood both remain in operation.

For the year 2011/12, there were also two super injunction applications granted in NI, while four were passed in the period from 2007 to 2011.

That admission was made by Justice Minister David Ford two years ago, in response to a question tabled by Mr Allister.

Speaking about the issue, Allister said: "The growth of 'super injunctions' is a product of the courts being persuaded to prioritise privacy rights over freedom of expression and press rights within the Human Rights Act.

"I am far from convinced that this balance is weighted in the right direction, particularly where it is a facility which in practical terms is only likely to be available to those who can afford it.

"Since by their very nature such orders do not sit comfortably with the transparency expectations of modern society, it is, I believe, in the public interest that information about the number and lifting of super injunctions should be known."

(JP/CD)