Department of Justice (Northern Ireland) facts for kids
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| Department overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 12 April 2010 |
| Preceding Department |
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| Jurisdiction | Northern Ireland |
| Headquarters | Castle Buildings, Stormont Estate, Belfast, BT4 3SG |
| Employees | 2,493 (September 2011) |
| Annual budget | £1,213.1 million (current) & £78.3 million (capital) for 2011–12 |
| Minister responsible |
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| Website | www.justice-ni.gov.uk |
The Department of Justice (in Irish: An Roinn Dlí agus Cirt, in Ulster-Scots: Männystrie o tha Laa) is a government department in Northern Ireland. It was created on 12 April 2010. This happened when the power to manage justice matters was given to the Northern Ireland Assembly. The person in charge, the Minister for Justice, is currently not appointed. The department's main office is in Castle Buildings in Belfast.
Contents
How the Department Started
When Ireland was divided in June 1921, Northern Ireland got its own legal system. A local Ministry of Home Affairs was set up then. This ministry looked after most justice policies until March 1972. After that, the Northern Ireland Office took over. This office was in charge of security and political issues during a difficult time known as the Troubles.
Before 2010, different UK government departments handled justice in Northern Ireland. For example, the Lord Chancellor's Department and later the Ministry of Justice looked after the courts.
Most decisions about social and economic matters were given to the Northern Ireland Executive in December 1999. The plan to give control over policing and justice to Northern Ireland was agreed in 2006 and 2010. This finally happened in April 2010. In 2018, the department started a campaign called "Ending the Harm." This campaign aimed to stop certain harmful activities by groups that continued after the Troubles.
Who Leads the Department?
The Minister of Justice is chosen in a special way. Unlike other government jobs in Northern Ireland, this minister is elected by a cross-community vote in the Northern Ireland Assembly. This means they need support from different groups in the Assembly.
This special voting method was created to help solve disagreements between major political parties. David Ford was the first Minister of Justice, chosen on 12 April 2010. He was re-elected in 2011 and served until 2016. After him, Claire Sugden became Minister in May 2016. Her time as minister ended in January 2017 when the Northern Ireland government stopped working for a while. Naomi Long later took on the role in January 2020.
| Minister | Image | Party | Took office | Left office | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Ford |  |
Alliance | 12 April 2010 | 6 May 2016 | |
| Claire Sugden |  |
Independent | 25 May 2016 | 26 January 2017 | |
| Naomi Long |  |
Alliance | 11 January 2020 | 27 October 2022 |
What the Department Aims For
The Department of Justice has a main goal: to help create "a safe community where we respect the law, and each other." Its plans focus on finding new and smart ways to solve problems. This includes looking at the reasons why people might break the law. The department wants to find better ways to help people and prevent crime.
How the Department is Organized
The Department of Justice has its main office in Castle Buildings in Belfast. It works with several important agencies and public bodies. These groups help the department carry out its duties.
Here are some of the agencies it works with:
- The Northern Ireland Prison Service: This service manages prisons and helps people who are in jail.
- The Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service: This group runs the courts and tribunals.
- The Legal Services Agency for Northern Ireland: This agency helps people get legal advice and support.
- The Youth Justice Agency: This agency works with young people who have been involved in crime.
- Forensic Science Northern Ireland: This group uses science to help solve crimes.
The department also oversees other public bodies, including:
- The Northern Ireland Policing Board: This board helps oversee the police.
- The Office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland: This office handles complaints about the police.
- The Probation Board for Northern Ireland: This board helps people who have been released from prison.
- Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland: This group checks how well the justice system is working.
- The Royal Ulster Constabulary George Cross Foundation: This foundation supports former police officers.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) works independently. However, the Minister of Justice is responsible for making laws about policing.
What the Department Does
The Department of Justice is in charge of most daily policing and justice matters in Northern Ireland. This includes many important areas.
For example, the department is responsible for:
- Criminal law: This means making rules about what is considered a crime.
- Policing: Overseeing the police force.
- Prosecution: Deciding if someone should be charged with a crime.
- Public order: Keeping peace and safety in public places.
- Courts: Running the court system.
- Prisons and probation: Managing prisons and helping people after they leave prison.
- Criminal history disclosure: Providing criminal record checks.
Some justice matters are still handled by the UK government in London. These are called "reserved" matters. For example, laws about extradition (sending someone to another country for a crime) are handled by the UK government. Also, matters like national security and intelligence services are managed by the UK government.
The Department of Justice works closely with other government departments. In the UK, it works with the Home Office on policing. It also works with the Ministry of Justice on criminal law and prisons. In the Irish Government, its main partner is the Department of Justice.
Because of the border with the Republic of Ireland, there are some differences in laws. These differences can sometimes be used by criminals.
How the Department is Funded
The Department of Justice receives money from the government to do its work. In 2016-2017, it was given over £1 billion. This money is used for many different services.
Here is how some of the money was spent:
- £746 million for safer communities, mostly for the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
- £93.5 million for the Legal Services Agency.
- £93.3 million for the Northern Ireland Prison Service.
- £38.6 million for the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service.
- £16.3 million for the Probation Board.
- £16.2 million for the Youth Justice Agency.
- Money was also given for compensation services and to improve access to justice.
The department also received money for building and improving things. This was called the capital budget, which was £58 million. This money was used for things like new buildings for prisons and courts.
Extra money was also provided for national security in Northern Ireland. Funds were also set aside to deal with issues from the Troubles and to help stop harmful activities by groups.
See also
- Justice ministry
- List of government departments and agencies in Northern Ireland
- Northern Ireland Executive
- Northern Ireland law
- Politics of Northern Ireland
