Ford includes tribunal reform in plans to reshape the justice system

4.28.00pm GMT Wed 23rd Jun 2010

Justice Minister David Ford

Justice Minister David Ford today included reform of the tribunal system in his plans to reshape Northern Ireland's justice system saying that devolution is allowing government to take a fresh look at the way in which Northern Ireland's tribunals are run.

The Minister was addressing delegates at a conference on Advancing Tribunal Reform co-ordinated by the Belfast Law Centre to showcase its research findings on the disadvantages faced by users of tribunals in Northern Ireland compared with users in Great Britain.

Speaking at the Inn of Court at Royal Courts of Justice, Mr Ford acknowledged the work of the tribunals and their impact on people's lives. He said: "We all recognise that tribunals are a key part of the justice system - they are places where citizens can go to present their grievance and obtain simple, speedy and inexpensive justice.

"In Northern Ireland they deal with nearly 30,000 cases a year. Often cases involving the most vulnerable in society. I am thinking of those suffering from mental illness, those who are victims of crime, or who have suffered discrimination, or are dependent on welfare benefits.

"However, tribunals do not operate in isolation. They are part of a wider administrative justice system that ensures redress for the citizen when public bodies treat them unfairly or wrongly.

"Devolution of justice provides us with an opportunity for the first time to review how the different parts of the justice system can work more closely together to provide speedy redress and proportionate remedies.

"To begin that task, I have agreed with the Lord Chief Justice and the Ombudsman to establish a reference group to map the system. We will then begin to develop options for more fundamental reform."

The Minister also used the occasion to launch the first Tribunals Modernisation Strategy and Action Plan, which sets out how government will achieve reform over the next year.

The plan builds on service improvements achieved to date and input from tribunal users as part of a strategy to deliver a service which meets customer needs and expectations.