Consultation Response: Statutory Time Limits

​The Department of Justice published a consultation on statutory time limits in December 2015. The consultation document highlights the potential for how a flexible statutory time limits scheme could be introduced during the next Assembly mandate along with presenting a range of options on the length of time which would be appropriate for an STL with an initial focus on cases in the Youth Court.

The Bar’s response to the consultation notes the importance of efficiency within the criminal justice system which becomes even more paramount when children and young people are involved. However, any efforts to introduce statutory time limits must also recognise the need to address the underlying causes of delays in the system.

The Bar’s submission outlines that if statutory time limits are to be introduced then they should only run once the accused has been informed that a case is being proceeded with. Furthermore, the option of 120 days from the STL start point to bringing the case to trial would be the most appropriate length of time to begin testing any system. Read the Bar’s full response to the consultation.