Committee for Justice facts for kids

The Committee for Justice is a special group of people in the Northern Ireland Assembly. Think of the Assembly as Northern Ireland's parliament. This committee's main job is to help, advise, and check on the work of the Department of Justice. The Department of Justice is like a government office that handles laws, policing, and courts.

The Committee for Justice plays a big role in making sure laws about justice are fair and work well. They look closely at new ideas for laws and help decide if they should be passed.

This committee was created on 12 April 2010. This happened after Northern Ireland gained more control over its own policing and justice matters. This change was agreed upon in a special deal called the Hillsborough Castle Agreement on 5 February 2010. This agreement was made when Gordon Brown was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

What Does the Justice Committee Do?

The Committee for Justice has several important tasks. Its main goal is to make sure that justice in Northern Ireland is handled properly.

Checking on the Department of Justice

One of the committee's key jobs is to keep an eye on the Department of Justice. They check how the department is doing its work. This includes looking at how money is spent and if policies are working as planned. They make sure everything is fair and efficient.

Helping to Create New Laws

The committee also helps to create new laws. When the Department of Justice wants to introduce a new law, the committee studies it carefully. They might suggest changes or improvements. This makes sure that new laws are well-thought-out and good for everyone in Northern Ireland.

Listening to People's Views

Sometimes, the committee asks for opinions from the public or from experts. This is called consultation. They want to hear what people think about new ideas or problems related to justice. This helps them make better decisions that reflect what people need.

Who is on the Committee?

The Committee for Justice has nine members. These members are politicians from different political parties in Northern Ireland. They work together to oversee justice matters.

Having members from different parties helps to make sure that many different viewpoints are heard. This way, decisions about justice can be fair to everyone. The committee usually has a Chairperson and a Deputy Chairperson who lead the meetings.

Why Was the Committee Created?

The Committee for Justice was formed because of a big change in how Northern Ireland is governed. Before 2010, many decisions about policing and justice were made by the UK government.

Taking Control of Justice

On 12 April 2010, Northern Ireland took more control over these important areas. This is called "devolution." It means that local politicians in Northern Ireland now make more decisions about their own police force, courts, and prisons.

The Hillsborough Castle Agreement

This change happened because of an agreement called the Hillsborough Castle Agreement. This deal was made in 2010 to help bring more stability and local control to Northern Ireland. Creating the Committee for Justice was an important part of this agreement. It ensured that there would be a dedicated group to manage these new responsibilities.