Justice Minister Claire Sugden MLA Attends Bar Council
From left: Liam McCollum QC, Chairman of the Bar Council, Claire Sugden MLA, Justice Minister and Sarah Ramsey, Vice Chair of the Bar Council
Chairman of the Bar of Northern Ireland, Liam McCollum QC welcomed Justice Minister Claire Sugden MLA to yesterday’s (Wednesday 12th October) Bar Council meeting in the Bar Library, Belfast.
During the visit, the Minister outlined her priorities for the next five years of tackling domestic violence, promoting women’s rights, improving mental health services and outcomes for children and young people. The Minster heard from the Bar Council on a range of topics such as the upcoming regulatory changes in light of the Legal Complaints and Regulation Act, the Bar’s response to Review of Civil and Family Justice and the work of the Pro Bono Committee.
Liam McCollum QC said;
“I welcome the opportunity to meet with the Minister early in the new legal year to discuss the strategic issues facing the profession and the justice system as a whole. Yesterday’s visit enabled the Minister to learn firsthand from practitioners of issues they face each day, from current pressures on the court system, the need for greater access to therapeutic intervention for clients and the importance of meaningful reform which serves the best interests of the public.
I would like to thank the Minister for taking the time to attend and for her insightful opening remarks and meaningful contributions during the meeting, and look forward to continuing our positive relationship and future collaboration to improve the outcomes for all who come into contact with the justice system.”