1 March 2010

Dear Consultee

Redrawing the Map – A Consultation on Court Boundaries in Northern Ireland

The Northern Ireland Court Service today published the above document for an eight week period of public consultation. The document is available on the Court Service website at www.courtsni.gov.uk

The consultation paper seeks views on proposals to move away from the current statutory framework of rigid court boundaries for County Courts and Magistrates’ Courts in Northern Ireland, and introduce a single jurisdiction underpinned by more flexible administrative arrangements. We consider that the additional flexibility which would be afforded by the proposals contained in this document would enhance the judiciary’s listing function and facilitate the more effective management of court business for the benefit of all court users.

The document also provides details on the administrative court division boundaries that are proposed.

The full details of the policy proposals are contained in the consultation paper, which you are encouraged to read.

Copies of the consultation document are also available from the Courts Service's Communications Group at Laganside House (contact details below) and can be made available in other accessible formats or minority languages on request.

The closing date for receipt of comments is 23rd April 2010.

Should a need arise to separately consult particular interest groups, such as children and young people, this will be facilitated in parallel with this consultation exercise.

If you require any further information please contact:
Paula Stevenson
Consultation Co-Coordinator
Northern Ireland Court Service
Laganside House
23-27 Oxford Street
BELFAST BT1 3LA
Telephone: (028) 9041 23 45
Email: communicationsgroup@courtsni.gov.uk

Yours sincerely
Peter Luney
Head of Business Development Group
The Northern Ireland Court Service is a Department of the Lord Chancellor