More resources are needed to relieve the pressure on our justice system.
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That relief should not only be in the form of the interim judges being extended for a further two years.
During budget estimates in 2018, it was revealed that the Supreme Court cases had increased by 11 per cent despite additional funding for the extra judges to help alleviate the pressure.
At the time the backlog was described as complex with no single cause identified.
A further comment was made that without the interim judges the backlog most likely would be greater than it currently stands.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Daryl Coates, stated in his annual report back in November that the workload for criminal prosecution had increased with more cases finalised than the previous year (from 427 to 485), but those matters pending had grown (from 382 to 443).
The number of trials had increased from 78 to 100.
Mr Coates said the appointment of acting judges had increased the workload of the DPP.
People have the right to a speedy trial. Whether it be the accused or the alleged victim and family.
More must be done than just appointing judges for a longer period.
Additional support and resources must be delivered to the Magistrates Court so that more cases can be completed at this level. To ensure no further pressure is applied to this area of the justice system, more resources must also be handed out for legal aid and for the DPP.
More judges are not the only answer.
As the Law Society mentioned, the cases presenting in court are far more complex than previous years.
The technology used to solve and commit crimes are changing, the arguments are more complex and here in the North, the police are closing cases at a speedier pace than previous years.
Far more needs to be done to solve this complex issue.