Background
The Lord Chief Justice and Lord Justice Gillen launched the reports from a major review of the civil and family justice systems on 5th September 2017. In the absence of Ministers, the Lord Chief Justice agreed with the Permanent Secretaries of the Department of Justice and the Department of Finance that a shadow Civil Justice Council, and shadow Family Justice Board, should be established as an interim step. The establishment of the shadow Council was announced by the Lord Chief Justice in his public address at the opening of the new legal year on 5th September 2017.
Terms of Reference
Terms of Reference for the Shadow Civil Justice Council
Minutes of the Council
Minutes of the sixteenth meeting of the Shadow Civil Justice Council held on 20th September 2023
Minutes of the 15th Meeting of the Shadow Civil Justice Council Held on 8th March 2023
Minutes of the 14th Meeting of the Shadow Civil Justice Council held on the 8 December 2022
Minutes of the Thirteenth Meeting of the Shadow Civil Justice Council held on 15th September 2022
Minutes of the Twelfth Meeting of the Shadow Civil Justice Council held on the 10 March 2022
Minutes of the Eleventh meeting of the Shadow Civil Justice Council Held on 9th December 2021
Minutes of the tenth meeting of the Shadow Civil Justice Council held on 16 September 2021
Minutes of the ninth meeting of the Shadow Civil Justice Council held on 27 April 2021
Minutes of the Eighth Meeting of the Shadow Civil Justice Council held on 19 January 2021
Minutes of the Seventh Meeting of the Shadow Civil Justice Council held on 9 September 2020
Minutes of the Sixth Meeting of the Shadow Civil Justice Council held on 11 March 2020
Minutes of the Fifth Meeting of the Shadow Civil Justice Council held on 17 September 2019
Minutes of the Fourth Meeting of the Shadow Civil Justice Council held on 26 March 2019
Minutes of the Third Meeting of the Shadow Civil Justice Council held on 13 November 2018
Minutes of the Second Meeting of the Shadow Civil Justice Council held on 6th March 2018
Minutes of the First Meeting of the Shadow Civil Justice Council
Consultations
The shadow Civil Justice Council have launched a consultation on a draft Code of Conduct for McKenzie Friends and a revised Practice Note for McKenzie Friends 03/2012. The Council having considered recommendations CJ 96, CJ 97 and CJ 98 in the Civil Justice Report hope that a draft Code of Conduct will ensure appropriate control on the use of McKenzie Friends and if followed in conjunction with the proposed revised Practice Note 03/2012 will enable a McKenzie Friend to be of assistance to the court. If you would like to respond to this consultation you can do so by e-mail to LCJOReform@courtsni.gov.uk the consultation will close on 22nd January 2024.
McKenzie Friends Draft Code of Conduct and Revised Practice Note 03/2012 Public Consultation
Advisory Group
An Advisory Group to the Shadow Civil Justice Council was established to allow stakeholder organisations to provide their input to the work of the shadow Council and to reflect the views of particular interest groups. The Advisory Group is chaired by a designated member of the shadow Council and meets at least twice a year.
Minutes of the Advisory Group
Shadow Civil Justice Council Advisory Group Written Update 7 April 2020 (amended 9 December 2020)