Debate contribution: Justice Bill: Consideration Stage

Debate contribution by Ms Aoife Finnegan on 22 June 2026.

MLA: Ms Aoife Finnegan
Party at the time: Sinn Féin
Date: 22 June 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Executive Committee Business
Heading: Justice Bill: Consideration Stage
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5639015

Text

Sorry, I was not ready, Mr Deputy Speaker. Sinn Féin recognises that access to justice is one of the fundamental principles in any fair and democratic society. Legal rights have little practical meaning if individuals cannot effectively exercise them because they lack the financial means to obtain legal representation. The principle of equality before the law demands that justice should be available to everyone, regardless of their income and personal circumstances. Legal aid plays a vital role in supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our society, including children, victims of domestic abuse, individuals who are experiencing poverty, people with disabilities and people who are facing complex legal proceedings. The issue also links directly to the concerns that Sinn Féin has consistently raised about access to justice in the family court system. The Assembly last month debated Sinn Féin's motion on protections against coercive control and abuse through the courts, in which we highlighted the experiences of victims who are subjected to repeated and often unnecessary court proceedings as a continuation of abusive behaviour. During that debate, the Minister acknowledged that changes were required in order to better support victims navigating the justice system. Although legal aid is available in certain domestic abuse cases, we have heard significant concerns that many victims either are unaware of their entitlements or face processes that are lengthy, complex and difficult to navigate. The result is that some of the most vulnerable people in our society face additional barriers while attempting to access justice and secure legal representation.
We also heard evidence during the Committee's scrutiny from members of the legal profession, who indicated that, in some cases, the only reason that they can continue to take on legal aid clients is because private clients effectively subsidise that work through substantially higher fees. Not every practice is in a position to do that, and that raises wider concerns about the sustainability of legal aid provision and the availability of representation for those who rely on it. Those examples demonstrate the importance of approaching any changes to legal aid with caution. If reforms further restrict access or reduce the availability of legal representation, it is often vulnerable victims and those with the least means who suffer the consequences. Access to justice must remain a practical reality, not merely a principle. We recognise that public money must always be spent responsibly and that legal aid systems should operate effectively. However, any reform must be carefully considered to ensure that it does not create additional barriers for those who rely on those services. Sinn Féin believes that any change to legal aid arrangements must protect fairness, maintain access to justice and ensure that the most vulnerable are not disadvantaged. For those reasons, we oppose new clause 27A as drafted. Apologies that I was not ready for you, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

474 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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