Friday 13 March 2020
The Committee for Home Affairs has today published the Justice Review Policy Letter and Report.
Justice Policy is one of the States policy priorities and the Committee commissioned an independent reviewer, Ms Gemma Buckland, to assist in informing a review of justice policy, the recommendations in the Report are those of the reviewer.
The independently prepared Report is being laid before the States of Deliberation to facilitate an open discussion and debate. At this stage the Committee is not asking the States to make any decision to support or reject the individual recommendations.
Deputy Lowe said:
"The Committee is grateful to all those organisations and individuals who have contributed to the development of this report. By laying it before the States it provides the opportunity for all Deputies to make a positive contribution to the development of future justice policy. As a Committee we will listen carefully to the debate and the discussion will help guide the development of a clear set of proposals and timeline for delivery which will be considered by the next Assembly.
Future justice policy will need to recognise the links between social, criminal and family justice; it is not the sole domain of the Committee for Home Affairs. If as a government we are to deliver sustainable justice policy which meets the needs of our community, it must be progressed as a cross-committee priority and partnership with all stakeholders. The development of justice policy signals the opportunity for major transformation, however, this will not be achievable without the provision of adequate resources.''