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Proceeding contribution from Lord Hylton (Crossbench) in the House of Lords on Wednesday, 2 May 2007. It occurred during Debate on bill on Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Bill.


Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Bill

My Lords, in recent years, I have spent a certain amount of time meeting and discussing their activities with those running community-based restorative justice on both sides of the divide in Belfast. It seems to me that they have had some success in reducing the incidence of punishment beatings, which we all know have taken place and may still be taking place. The noble Lord, Lord Lester of Herne Hill, mentioned informality. I should have thought that was a good thing when dealing with anti-social behaviour. I also recall that the learned judge from Scotland, who reviewed the whole of the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland, came down firmly in favour of restorative justice generally. He was also prepared to accept the continued existence of community-based restorative justice. I recall that the Independent Monitoring Commission, of which the noble Lord, Lord Alderdice, has been a distinguished member, considered the matter and, on the whole, gave it a clean bill of health. I ask the Government, first, what is supposed to happen if the NIO guidelines are breached, and, secondly, is the amendment really necessary?


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
691 c1072 
Session
2006-07
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
Subjects
Disclosure of information Administration of justice Juries Human rights Northern Ireland Registration Security Trials
Legislation
Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Bill 2006-07
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk