Open consultation

Northern Ireland Office launches consultation on the use of non-jury trials in Northern Ireland

Applies to Northern Ireland

Summary

In advance of the expiry of the current non-jury trial provisions on 31 July 2025, the NIO is seeking your views on extending these provisions for a further two years, to July 2027

This consultation closes at

Consultation description

The Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Act 2007 allows for the NI Director of Public Prosecutions to decide when a trial should take place without a jury following a strict statutory test and if he decides there is a risk that the administration of justice might be impaired if the trial were to be conducted with a jury.

Due to the threat from terrorism and the persistence of paramilitary activity in Northern Ireland, non-jury trials have been necessary for a small number of exceptional cases.

The current provisions for non-jury trials are due to expire in July 2025. They may only be extended by two years subject to the approval of both Houses of Parliament.

The Government is seeking views from stakeholders, including members of the public, representative bodies from the judiciary and community leaders from across Northern Ireland on whether the use of non-jury trials should be extended until 2027.

The consultation will run for 12 weeks and provide the public and wider interested parties with the opportunity to have their say on whether the UK Government should seek to renew these provisions.

Notes to Editors

  • In 2023, only 0.8% (12 out of 1423) of all Crown Court cases in NI were conducted without a jury. There is a presumption of trial by jury in all cases before the Crown Court  in Northern Ireland.
  • Non-jury trials only take place in exceptional circumstances. This is in stark contrast to the old Diplock system, where the default was a non-jury trial for certain offences.
  • The provision of non-jury trials can apply to certain cases in England, Wales and Northern Ireland through the Criminal Justice Act 2003.

Documents

Consultation: Non-Jury Trials Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Act 2007

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email communications@nio.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Ways to respond

Email to:

NJTconsultation@nio.gov.uk

Write to:

Public consultation:
Non-Jury Trial Provisions
Northern Ireland Office (SPG)
Erskine House
20-32 Chichester Street
Belfast
BT1 4GF

Updates to this page

Published 9 December 2024

Sign up for emails or print this page