12/02/2016

NI Legal Aid Dispute Resolved

An NI Legal Aid dispute has been resolved.

The feud has resulted in over 900 court cases being delayed.

In a joint statement, The Law Society, Bar Council and the Department of Justice said: "All parties have worked to achieve this outcome in the interests of ensuring the continued effective and efficient operation of the criminal justice system in this jurisdiction. These arrangements will ensure the immediate restoration of representation for defendants in the Crown Court in Northern Ireland."

The Bar Council and the Solicitors' Criminal Bar Association have confirmed that their members will resume representation of defendants in the Crown Court today, 12 February 2016.

Justice Minister David Ford said: "I would like to thank all those involved in the mediation process for their energy in reaching a resolution."

(CD/LM)

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