25 September 2023
Legacy conference postponement
Issued: 10.00am on 26th September 2023
The Law Society of
Northern Ireland has today announced the postponement of its annual conference
which had been due to take place on 29 September 2023 focussing on the Northern
Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act.
The Law Society has
been a vocal opponent of this legislation, criticising - among other things -
the prohibition on civil cases and closing of legacy inquests brought about by
the Act. The legislation is, in the view
of the Law Society, incompatible with the UK’s international human rights
obligations.
The Law Society
convened this conference to provide members of the legal profession the
opportunity to hear from human rights experts, from victims’ representatives
and from those involved in the implementation of the new Independent Commission
for Reconciliation and Information Recovery.
This was intended to help inform the legal profession’s approach to the
new structures.
Some victims’
representative groups have contacted the Law Society in recent days requesting the
cancellation of the conference. The Society has also been made aware of plans
to hold a public protest at Friday’s event.
In these circumstances, the Society has taken the decision to postpone
this event. Law Society President, Brian
Archer, commented:
“The Law Society is committed
to upholding the Rule of Law and has been at the forefront of challenging this
legislation during its passage through Parliament. Solicitors play a vital role supporting
victims and survivors of The Troubles seeking answers and accountability and I
believe it is appropriate for the Law Society to hold events such as this to
inform and educate our members. Freedom of expression and debate is an
intrinsic and important aspect of the Rule of Law.
However, we recognise
the strength of feeling in opposition to this Act. With a significant number of legal challenges
now before the courts, the implementation of the new legacy structures remains uncertain,
and it is right to postpone the event until such time as the legality of the
new legacy arrangements has been tested in the courts.”
[ENDS]