Menu
17/11/2023
Additional £10.9m For NI's Legal Aid System
An additional £10.9 million has been announced for Northern Ireland's Legal Aid system and improve payment times, the Department of Justice (DoJ)has announced.
The additional allocation is the culmination of prolonged engagement between the DoJ and the Department of Finance (DoF).
The Department of Justice continues to have ongoing dialogue with the Criminal Bar Association of Northern Ireland (CBA) on a wide range of issues, including timely payments, and has advised the Bar that a further £10.9m has been secured for the current financial year.
Permanent Secretary, Richard Pengelly CB said: "I fully appreciate the challenges faced by the legal profession in Northern Ireland. It is no secret that the current budget provision is insufficient, and I have made this point to the profession on a number of occasions.
"Rather than representing a late effort to address the issue, this multi-million package is evidence of the seriousness with which my department views the issue. It also highlights the work that has been done and continues to be done to resolve it.
"This money will greatly assist in improving the projected payment times to the end of the current financial year. I will continue to engage with the relevant organisations in an effort to manage the issue going forward. Given this additional funding and the ongoing engagement, the action being taken by the Bar is premature at this time.
"I am sympathetic to the frustration of the profession and remain committed to highlighting the issue of timely payments at every opportunity, however this action risks adversely impacting those who need legal representation at a time when the Department of Justice cannot resolve the matter."
The additional allocation is the culmination of prolonged engagement between the DoJ and the Department of Finance (DoF).
The Department of Justice continues to have ongoing dialogue with the Criminal Bar Association of Northern Ireland (CBA) on a wide range of issues, including timely payments, and has advised the Bar that a further £10.9m has been secured for the current financial year.
Permanent Secretary, Richard Pengelly CB said: "I fully appreciate the challenges faced by the legal profession in Northern Ireland. It is no secret that the current budget provision is insufficient, and I have made this point to the profession on a number of occasions.
"Rather than representing a late effort to address the issue, this multi-million package is evidence of the seriousness with which my department views the issue. It also highlights the work that has been done and continues to be done to resolve it.
"This money will greatly assist in improving the projected payment times to the end of the current financial year. I will continue to engage with the relevant organisations in an effort to manage the issue going forward. Given this additional funding and the ongoing engagement, the action being taken by the Bar is premature at this time.
"I am sympathetic to the frustration of the profession and remain committed to highlighting the issue of timely payments at every opportunity, however this action risks adversely impacting those who need legal representation at a time when the Department of Justice cannot resolve the matter."
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
02 November 2005
Minister committed to tackling issues facing children
NIO Minister Jeff Rooker has committed himself to championing the causes of children and young people throughout Northern Ireland.
Minister committed to tackling issues facing children
NIO Minister Jeff Rooker has committed himself to championing the causes of children and young people throughout Northern Ireland.
22 February 2023
PM Urged To Deal With 'Constitutional Issues Caused By The Protocol'
The DUP has called on the Prime Minister to deal with the fundamental constitutional issues caused by the Protocol in addition to ensuring its legal replacement. DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson made the comments at Prime Ministers Questions today.
PM Urged To Deal With 'Constitutional Issues Caused By The Protocol'
The DUP has called on the Prime Minister to deal with the fundamental constitutional issues caused by the Protocol in addition to ensuring its legal replacement. DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson made the comments at Prime Ministers Questions today.
08 May 2008
Irish Drivers Skip Ulster Parking Fines
While long-suffering motorists with vehicles registered in Northern Ireland are paying the price of any infringement of increasingly heavily enforced traffic and parking regulations, a total of 16,950 tickets were issued between October 2006 and March 2008 to vehicles registered in the Republic.
Irish Drivers Skip Ulster Parking Fines
While long-suffering motorists with vehicles registered in Northern Ireland are paying the price of any infringement of increasingly heavily enforced traffic and parking regulations, a total of 16,950 tickets were issued between October 2006 and March 2008 to vehicles registered in the Republic.
12 August 2021
Emergency Department Waiting Times Continue To Be Unacceptable
Emergency department waiting times "continue to be unacceptable", Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew has said. Responding to the latest Health Department figures, the Sinn Féin health spokesperson said: "The statistics from April to June this year show that urgent and emergency care services are under pressure.
Emergency Department Waiting Times Continue To Be Unacceptable
Emergency department waiting times "continue to be unacceptable", Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew has said. Responding to the latest Health Department figures, the Sinn Féin health spokesperson said: "The statistics from April to June this year show that urgent and emergency care services are under pressure.
19 November 2024
Justice Minister Announces Additional Funding For Department
Justice Minister Naomi Long has welcomed the allocation of an additional £39.3 million to the Department of Justice following the October Monitoring Round. This funding will be used to address various pressures within the justice system, including those arising from the civil disorder during the summer.
Justice Minister Announces Additional Funding For Department
Justice Minister Naomi Long has welcomed the allocation of an additional £39.3 million to the Department of Justice following the October Monitoring Round. This funding will be used to address various pressures within the justice system, including those arising from the civil disorder during the summer.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
