Publications

NIO on Proposed Access to Justice NI Order

The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission is a statutory body established under section 68 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. Under section 69(1) of that Act it has a duty to keep under review the adequacy and effectiveness in Northern Ireland of law and practice relating to the protection of human rights. Under section 69(3) the Commission has the duty, on such occasions as it thinks appropriate, to advise the Secretary of State and the Executive Committee of the Assembly of legislative and other measures which ought to be taken to protect human rights.

The Commission has maintained an interest in access to justice since its establishment on 1 March 1999. In its early months it gave detailed consideration to Public Benefit and the Public Purse: Legal Aid Reform in Northern Ireland, the consultation paper issued by the Northern Ireland Court Service in June 1999. In October 1999 the Commission held a roundtable discussion with key interested players in the justice system and it met with the relevant Government Minister at the time, Mr David Lock. In November 1999 the Commission made a substantial written submission to the Court Service on the consultation document.

northern-ireland-office-on-proposed-access-to-justice-ni-order-2002.pdf