Debate contribution: Youth Justice: Processing Times
Debate contribution by Mrs Naomi Long on .
- MLA
- Mrs Naomi Long
- Party at the time
- Alliance Party
- Date
- 28 September 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution
- Business
- Oral Answers to Questions
- Heading
- Youth Justice: Processing Times
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5762142
Read the official Assembly record
Text
Reducing avoidable delay in the justice system remains a priority for my Department and Justice partners, particularly where cases involve children and young people. Timely progression supports rehabilitation for young people who offend and helps to minimise uncertainty and further trauma for child victims and witnesses. My Department is taking forward the speeding up justice programme with Justice partners.
That programme is focused on tackling avoidable delay at a system-wide level, reducing demand on the courts and supporting proportionate and effective responses to offending. It includes work on out-of-court disposals, committal reform, early engagement, the remit of the Magistrates' Court and digital reform. I will continue to work with justice partners to address avoidable delay while ensuring that the youth justice system remains proportionate, effective and focused on rehabilitation and the needs of children and young people locally.
138 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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