The use of non-jury trials in Northern Ireland will be reviewed next year, the Government said today.
Announcing that so-called Diplock hearings would continue for another year, security minister Paul Goggins said the practice would be re-examined in 2011, with the public able to express their views during a consultation exercise.
The number of non-jury cases has been steadily declining in the region, with only 13 last year, compared with 29 over the previous 12 months.
Mr Goggins said while the Diplock option was still essential he said he looked forward to the day when it was no longer needed.
The non-jury system was introduced in the early 1970s for paramilitary offences over fears of intimidation.
At its height more than 300 trials a year saw the judge alone rule on guilt or innocence.
A change in the law three years ago meant all cases would go before a jury unless the Director of Public Prosecutions issued a specific certificate for a non-jury hearing.
“Since the law changed in 2007, the presumption now is that all indictable cases are tried before a jury, but in a small number of cases the judgment is taken that the administration of justice might be impaired if there was a jury trial,” said Mr Goggins.
“That is why the legislation which allows for non-jury trials is still in place. The number of non-jury trials has fallen but we still consider that they are sometimes necessary for the delivery of a fair justice system".
“There will be a comprehensive review of the non-jury trial system, including a full public consultation, before it next falls to be renewed in July 2011. I look forward to the day when Government can return to jury trials in all cases.”
PA