Appeal for a Strategic View of the Role of the Legal and Justice System

The Bar of Northern Ireland has urged policy and decision makers to take a strategic view of the role played by the legal and justice system and to recognise the social and economic benefits of appropriate investment in the legal aid system.

The Bar’s appeal comes as it publishes a set of policy priorities ahead of the Northern Ireland Assembly election. The priorities reaffirm the Bar of Northern Ireland’s response to the draft Executive Budget for 2022-25 which would, as identified by the Northern Ireland Fiscal Council, result in a net budget decrease for the Department of Justice.

David Mulholland is the Chief Executive of the Bar of Northern Ireland, and said:

“Policy and decision makers must recognise the value and meaning of justice to our society. For too long the conversation around access to justice has focused on cost. This overlooks the wider societal and economic benefits brought about by appropriate investment in our legal system.

“Access to justice is about human value and dignity for people who require publicly funded legal services to help them cope with challenges that they cannot face alone.

“It should be clearly understood that cuts to the justice budget will have a real impact on people lives. This impact will be felt acutely by the most vulnerable in society when they find themselves needing help and support during challenging times.

“The Bar of Northern Ireland is calling for an end to the unsustainable underfunding of this vital aspect of the welfare system and for the establishment of a ringfenced legal aid budget of not less than £82m. We urge an incoming Executive, elected representatives and policy makers to ensure that our most vulnerable citizens are protected and have access to justice today and into the future.”

The Bar of Northern Ireland has today launched a new set of policy priorities ahead of the election.

Raising the Bar: Priorities for the Post-Election Period can be viewed here.