The Northern Ireland Court Service (the Court Service) was established in 1979, by the Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978, as a separate civil service in Northern Ireland. It is the Lord Chancellor's department in Northern Ireland.
Our Role is to:
- provide administrative support for the Northern Ireland courts and Judiciary;
- enforce civil court judgments through a centralised enforcement service provided by the Enforcement of Judgments Office;
- support the Lord Chancellor in discharging his ministerial responsibilities in Northern Ireland, including responsibility for judicial appointments and legal aid; and
- provide administrative support for Tribunals.
Values
In the course of our work we aspire to the following values:
- Integrity. We shall interact with our customers with the highest degree of integrity, promoting an atmosphere of honesty and trust.
- Openness. We shall undertake our work in an open and transparent manner.
- Professionalism. We shall conduct our business to the highest standards.
- Accountability. We shall be responsible for delivering a high quality service to the public.
- Fairness. We shall treat everyone fairly.
Strategic Aims
Within our Corporate Plan 2008 - 2011 (please use this link to view the Corporate Plan 2008 - 2011 (PDF)) we have set the following strategic objectives:
- Delivering responsive customer services;
- Improving access to justice;
- Promoting confidence in the justice system; and
- supporting an independent Judiciary.
For more information about the Court Service then view our guide for users of the Northern Ireland Court Service (PDF).
This guide is also available in Irish and Ulster Scots:
About the Court Service-Gaeilge (PDF)
About the Court Service-Ulster Scots (PDF)
Court User Notice in Other Languages (PDF)
To learn more about the cases dealt with by each court then click here to visit the work of the courts.