Ford & Maginness in Policing & Justice Seminar
The man expected to be appointed Northern Ireland Justice Minister, the Alliance Party’s David Ford and SDLP nominee for the post Alban Maginness were speakers at a groundbreaking seminar on the subject as part of Asitis Consulting’s Face2Face series on Thursday 25th of March. The highly ettended event also featured contributions from former Policing Board chairman Professor Desmond Rea, Prof John Jackson, Dean of the Criminal Law at UCD, Alan Hunter, Chief executive of the Law Society, and Liz Cuddy, Chief Executive of Extern.
The seminar was designed to look at how the new policing and judicial system in Northern Ireland will actually work, what the immediate challenges are, and how the new structures will affect people working in the legal, judicial and voluntary and community sectors.
Managing Director of Asitis Consulting, Nick Garbutt said that the seminar offered people their first chance to see the man who will, in all probability be Northern Ireland’s first Minister for Justice lay out his stall and outline his priorities.
“We are absolutely delighted that both nominees and our distinguished panel of guests agreed to take part in what was an unmissable seminar. Policing and Justice issues extend in all directions throughout our society, and the devolution of these matters is of huge importance to all of us. This event allowed speakers and delegates alike to finally move beyond the political machinations of devolving Policing and Justice, and have the opportunity to discuss how the new system will actually work.”
He added, “What are the challenges and opportunities? What will it mean for legal professionals, Policemen and women, and the voluntary sector stakeholders who liaise with the judicial framework every day? How will the independence of the judiciary be maintained? What changes, if any, will be made to the Northern Ireland Prison Service, the Public Prosecution Service, the Court Service, the Probation Board and the Forensic Science Service? What steps will be taken between now and 12th April? Our expert panel explored the challenges and pitfalls for the new Justice Minister; explored what reform measures might be taken in areas such as Legal Aid; and discussed the future for the policing board, and for the many different organisations which have a stake in the new legal landscape”