The British government has made two key appointments as part of its plans to overhaul the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland.
Former Scottish Law Lord, Lord James Clyde, was yesterday appointed Justice Oversight Commissioner and will oversee the planned changes to the justice system. The position of Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice in Northern Ireland will be filled by Mr Kit Chivers, currently Chief Inspector of the Magistrates' Courts Service in Britain. Mr Chivers will be responsible for the inspection of all aspects of the criminal justice system excluding the courts.
The appointments came as London published its updated Criminal Justice Review Implementation Plan, part of its further implementation of the Belfast Agreement. Changes will include the setting up of a new public prosecution service and an independent judicial appointments commission.
The new Northern Ireland Office minister with responsibility for criminal justice, Mr John Spellar, said the updated plan set out a programme which would deliver "a more modern, transparent, accountable and progressive criminal justice system for Northern Ireland."
The plan, supported by the Justice Act of 2002 and any further legislation that may be required, would make "a major contribution to enhancing the effectiveness of the criminal justice system," said the minister.
"It represents another significant step towards the full implementation of the Belfast Agreement."
Key recommendations in the Criminal Justice Review include:
a focus on promoting a human rights culture in the criminal justice system;
a new Public Prosecution Service;
an independent Judicial Appointments Commission;
an independent Criminal Justice Inspectorate;
a focus on addressing and meeting the needs of victims of crime;
an independent Northern Ireland Law Commission;
improvements to youth justice arrangements - including the creation of the Youth Justice Agency;
and the development of North/South co-operation on criminal justice matters.
Lord Clyde has been appointed for three years, and Mr Chivers has been appointed for three years with an option for a further two. - PA