Debate contribution: Crown Court Cases
Debate contribution by Mrs Naomi Long on .
- MLA
- Mrs Naomi Long
- Party at the time
- Alliance Party
- Date
- 19 October 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution (made as a minister)
- Business
- Oral Answers to Questions
- Heading
- Crown Court Cases
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5795766
Read the official Assembly record
Text
The unwarranted and unnecessary withdrawal of services by the CBA has caused significant damage to the justice system. It has damaged the efforts and progress that we were already making to reduce delay. More importantly, it has damaged the victims, witnesses and defendants in the system, whom it is supposed to serve. Work on recovery is ongoing but, with hundreds of cases at varying stages having been affected, there is no quick fix. Listing is a judicial matter. In June, the Lady Chief Justice issued guidance on initial prioritisation of cases, which rightly focused on cases that involve the most vulnerable. That work continues. However, in the absence of significant additional funding, which my Department simply does not have, we will not get back to pre-withdrawal case levels for some time. Recovery for those who were affected by the withdrawal is more difficult to assess and may take longer still. We will, of course, continue to make all possible efforts to make inroads where we can. I will not allow anyone to lose sight of those who have been impacted by the withdrawal, those who have been awaiting justice for far too long, and those victims and witnesses who are suffering stress, uncertainty and continuing trauma. Therefore, my focus now is on working with justice system partners to ensure that we are never in this position again. I am already doing all that I can to that end. That is why I commissioned the accelerated review of criminal legal aid and why I have taken all possible steps to implement the recommended fee increases at pace. I have already consulted on proposals, and the draft legislation and business case are in train to allow implementation by the end of the mandate. The uplifts are not affordable within my existing budget, so I will need Executive colleagues to agree to their implementation. I have already written to them in that regard. I hope that a decision will soon be reached.
329 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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