AQO 1958/17-22 Oral question to the Minister of Justice
To ask the Minister of Justice to provide an update on her legislative programme.
Asked by John Blair MLA on 15 April 2021
- Answered
- Oral
- Tabled
- 15 April 2021
- Answer due by
- 27 April 2021
- Answered
- 27 April 202112 days after tabling
- Department
- Department of Justice
- Priority question
- No
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.