Debate contribution: The Coronavirus Act 2020 (Extension of Provisions Relating to Live Links for Courts and Tribunals) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024

Debate contribution by Mrs Naomi Long on 14 May 2024.

MLA

Mrs Naomi Long

Party at the time

Alliance Party

Date

14 May 2024

Type

Debate contribution (made as a minister)

Business

Executive Committee Business

Heading

The Coronavirus Act 2020 (Extension of Provisions Relating to Live Links for Courts and Tribunals) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 4490143

Read the official Assembly record

Text

I beg to move

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I seek the Assembly's approval for the Coronavirus Act 2020 (Extension of Provisions Relating to Live Links for Courts and Tribunals) Order (Northern Ireland) 2024. That is SR 2024/72. The motion is that this order be approved. Article 2 of the order extends the provisions allowing courts and statutory tribunals in Northern Ireland to receive evidence, wholly or in part, using audio or video conferencing, systems but primarily video. These systems are commonly referred to as live links. They facilitate the wider provision of remote evidence as well as disposing of mentions or hearings, which can include matters such as first appearances and bail applications. This extension, covering the period from March to September 2024, is to allow us to maintain access to live links provision, which has proved to be an essential element of the toolkit for addressing the backlog of cases accrued during and since the pandemic, as well as allowing us to maintain efficacy in the system while we take forward work in parallel to put new primary legislation in place. Nine weeks ago yesterday, on 11 March, I moved a similar motion for approval on a similar statutory rule, SR 2023/138. It was heartening on that occasion to hear recognition from those Members who spoke of the clear need for these provisions to be maintained, especially at a time of scarce resources. That debate also gave Members the opportunity to voice their concerns about having to rely on emergency legislation in order to maintain access to these provisions. I acknowledge those concerns, and, indeed, I share them. It remains my clear preference to have our own primary provision in place, and we are working closely with the Committee for Justice with a view to creating a pathway that will allow us to achieve that as soon as possible. The contributions made during the previous debate indicated to me a level of acceptance among Members that the reality is that there is no practicable alternative to continuing to rely on these provisions as a temporary measure. That reflects the fact that we have a shortened mandate, the backlog of legislation from the previous mandate, and our constrained resources. Whilst the current legislative underpinning for live links is not ideal, the benefits are clear. They can reduce the impact on those involved in court proceedings when going through what is already a stressful event. They allow children to give evidence in a more child-friendly environment. They avoid children and their parents having to be in separate locations while waiting to give evidence. They reduce the risk of unplanned encounters between victims and witnesses and the defendant, and can help to meet the Victim Charter obligation to provide separate waiting areas. Ultimately, they save time and resources, including — particularly — expert witnesses, reducing the carbon footprint and allowing us to maximise the investment already made in technology. I welcome the evidence that the Commissioner-designate for Victims of Crime provided when she appeared before the Justice Committee on the benefits that live links can deliver, particularly for victims of crime, which she supported with compelling real-life examples. I ask Members to take account of the fact that, on each occasion that we have reached out to consult or engage with stakeholders with regard to live links, they have been overwhelmingly supportive of the continued use of the provisions. There is firm evidence that the availability of an enhanced digital court environment supports the needs of court users. I also draw Members' attention to the fact that we are working at pace to bring forward fresh legislation that will place us on that footing going forward. We hope to complete the process of that being delivered to the Committee for its consideration, and then onwards to the Assembly, before recess. We are not dragging our heels but, sadly, we will need to rely on these emergency provisions for a little longer. I commend the approval of the order to the Assembly, and I thank Members for their time.

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

Assessment

Not flagged

Jev’s structured answers

Assessed 21 October 2026 at 10:23 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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