The proposals of the Criminal Justice Review Group (CJRG), which was established under the Belfast Agreement to examine elements of the criminal justice system, are due to be published later this year. The group is chaired by Mr Jim Daniell, the director of criminal justice at the Northern Ireland Office. Its other members are senior civil servants. A number of independent assessors who are expert in criminal justice matters, including academics, are also involved.
Mr Daniell has hosted a series of seminars designed to hear professional and public opinion on how the system in the North could be improved. The CJRG has visited the Republic, Belgium, Canada, England, Germany, the Netherlands, Scotland, South Africa, New Zealand and the US to examine how other jurisdictions deliver criminal justice. The CJRG is studying mechanisms for appointing judges; ways of ensuring more openness in the process, possibly through a judicial appointments commission; lay involvement in the appointments machinery; ideas for maximising the field from which appointments are made; and judicial training.
It is examining the services provided for court-users, including victims and witnesses; ensuring that procedures do not create barriers for court-users; the symbols displayed and dress worn in court.
It is looking at arrangements for co-operation between criminal justice agencies in the North and South, with the possibility of greater co-operation in areas such as training, research, law reform, crime prevention and the supervision of offenders.
The CJRG is also exploring the establishment of a law reform commission to create greater openness in the criminal justice and prison systems. It is required to ensure broad community acceptance of its reforms.