AQW 47986/11-15

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 30/06/2015
Answered On Date: 07/07/2015
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Justice what legislation his Department plans to bring forward by the end of the current Assembly mandate.

Answer:

My Justice Bill has just completed its Assembly passage and is now awaiting Royal Assent. At its core the Bill has three aims: to improve services for victims and witnesses; to speed up the justice system; and to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of key aspects of the system.

I have also very recently introduced a Justice (No. 2) Bill into the Assembly to improve arrangements for the collection and enforcement of financial penalties and to enhance key aspects of prison services.

The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety and I have introduced the Mental Capacity Bill into the Assembly to create a composite framework for both mental capacity and mental health law.

I am currently in the process of seeking Executive agreement to change the law on abortion in relation to fatal fetal abnormality.

I also have an extensive programme of secondary legislation in both the criminal and civil justice fields.