AQO 1531/17-22

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 28/01/2021
Answered On Date: 08/02/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Justice for an update on her legislative programme.

Answer:

Upon taking up my position as Minister of Justice in January 2020, I set out ambitious legislative plans for the rest of the mandate, starting with the Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Bill that reached Final Stage in January 2021 and should receive Royal Assent shortly.

I currently have two Bills at different stages in the Assembly. The Criminal Justice (Committal Reform) Bill, which was introduced on 3 November 2020 is now at Committee Stage, and the Protection from Stalking Bill, which was introduced on 18 January 2021 had its Second Stage reading earlier today (8 February) and will now go to Committee Stage.

The fourth Bill in my programme is the Damages (Return on Investment) Bill. Drafting of the Bill is complete and I have sought Executive approval for Introduction to the Assembly later this month.

That just leaves the Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which will legislate for a number of discrete policy areas that do not come within scope of the other Bills I have just mentioned, as the final Bill in my programme.

Drafting of the Justice Bill is nearing completion and, subject to the completion of pre-Introduction clearances and securing the necessary Executive approvals, I plan to introduce this Bill to the Assembly in April.