AQO 1958/17-22

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 15/04/2021
Answered On Date: 27/04/2021
Priority Written: No

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

Answer:

The ambitious legislative plans that I set out for the remainder of the mandate, upon taking up my position as Minister of Justice in January 2020, are progressing well.

The Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Bill received Royal Assent on 1 March and Departmental officials are now progressing measures to facilitate the implementation of the new powers contained in the Act.

I also have three Bills at Committee Stage in the Assembly: the Criminal Justice (Committal Reform) Bill; the Protection from Stalking Bill; and the Damages (Return on Investment) Bill.

The final Bill in my legislative programme is 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 that I have just mentioned.

Drafting of the Justice Bill is now complete and, subject to securing the necessary Executive approvals, my introduction of this Bill to the Assembly in May remains on target.