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

Debate contribution by Mr Stewart Dickson on 14 May 2024.

MLA

Mr Stewart Dickson

Party at the time

Alliance Party

Date

14 May 2024

Type

Debate contribution

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 4490152

Read the official Assembly record

Text

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I am pleased to speak briefly on the motion as a member of the Committee for Justice. By way of explanation, our Chairperson is unavailable today. I also add a word of congratulations to our former Deputy Chair, who has been appointed as a Minister and is thus no longer a member of the Committee. As the Minister outlined, the statutory rule before us extends the provisions of the Coronavirus Act 2020 that allow courts and statutory tribunals to receive evidence through audio and video links until 24 September 2024. It is, as the Minister said, the second time that the current Committee for Justice has considered a statutory rule to extend the provisions, and the Committee's position remains the same. During the debate on the motion to approve the Coronavirus Act 2020 (Extension of Provisions Relating to Live Links for Courts and Tribunals) (No.2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023, the Committee Chairperson pointed out that the:

"Committee agreed to ask the Department for its views on whether the continued use of the powers in the Coronavirus Act 2020 is appropriate and proportionate in the post-COVID environment. The Committee also requested an update on the Department's plans to make permanent provision for the use of audio and video links."

As the Chairperson said at that time:

"the Committee was advised that the Minister was satisfied that there remains a clear role for the continued use of the provisions in order to tackle the backlog of cases that have accrued during and since the pandemic and that may take until 2028 to clear without extra resources. The Department also advised that it is the Minister's intention to include provisions for the wider use of live links in the first Bill that it plans to introduce, which is anticipated before the summer recess. The Committee was assured that reliance on the powers that are in the Coronavirus Act 2020 is, therefore, an interim arrangement."

It was also pointed out during the debate on the motion to approve the previous order that the Committee has been advised that, although the plan is to include the permanent provision for live links in the first departmental Bill of the mandate:

"it is unlikely that the necessary provisions will be drafted in time for inclusion in the Bill as introduced but will instead be tabled as amendments at Consideration Stage." — [Official Report (Hansard), 11 March 2024, p13, col 2].

The Chairperson and the then Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Justice met the Minister about that matter, and the Committee has been corresponding with the Department on it. Although the Minister and the Department have offered various reassurances, the Committee still has some concerns about the approach. We know, however, that the Bill will go through its various stages, as will its provisions. As I stated at the beginning of my contribution, the Committee's position remains the same. Most, if not all, of the Committee members are broadly supportive of the use of live links and agree that they should be a feature of our courts system. The Committee considered the statutory rule at its meeting on 25 April 2024 and was content with it. The Committee noted that the Examiner of Statutory Rules raised no concerns about the technical aspects of the statutory rule in her report dated 16 April 2024. On behalf of the Committee for Justice, I support the motion. I will now speak briefly as the Alliance Party's justice spokesperson. I recently had the privilege of joining Committee members on a visit to the Belfast live link centre. We were deeply impressed by the advanced technology and the dedicated staff who provide that vital service. The facilities are outstanding, and they are clearly designed to put witnesses at ease by ensuring that they feel safe and supported during what can be a very challenging time. The service plays a crucial role in modernising our justice system and making it more efficient and accessible. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the backlog of cases has become a significant issue. Live link centres are pivotal in addressing that backlog, allowing for remote testimony and hearings, which speeds up the judicial process. Not passing the statutory rule would have far-reaching and devastating consequences, particularly for vulnerable and often traumatised witnesses, including young people and children. The service's impact cannot be overstated. It ensures that justice is not delayed and that the voices of those who may find it difficult to attend court in person are heard. I commend the caring and dedicated staff, who work tirelessly to provide that essential service, and all those who contributed to its successful implementation. By supporting the statutory rule today, we are taking a significant step towards a more responsive and resilient justice system that meets the needs of all individuals, regardless of their circumstances.

813 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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