Publication date:
Sir Alasdair Fraser, Director of the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland (PPS) today reaffirmed PPS’s commitment to providing a first class prosecution service for the people of Londonderry, Magherafelt and Limavady.
He was speaking during a visit to PPS’s new office, Foyle Chambers, in Derry which together with Ballymena Chambers provides a comprehensive prosecution service to the Northern Region.
Sir Alasdair said: “I am delighted that PPS now has a new fully operational regional office in Derry. The PPS is a regionally based organisation and being located in the heart of the community which it serves enables us to engage directly with the community, voluntary groups and criminal justice partners at local level.
Increasing accessibility and accountability to the community gives us the opportunity to explain what we do and to learn of their concerns. Much good work has already been achieved through the Regional Prosecutor, Paula Jack and her team and I know that they are committed to continue to build on that work and, in particular to continue to enhance our vital services to victims and witnesses.”
Outlining the work of the Foyle office, Regional Prosecutor, Paula Jack said: “The Northern region is served by two offices, one in Ballymena and now from our new premises in Derry. I am supported by a team of 109 highly professional and motivated staff, 49 of whom are based at Foyle Chambers. The Foyle team many of whom have been recruited locally will take prosecution decisions in approximately 6,000 cases per year covering the Londonderry, Limavady and Magherafelt area.
In PPS we continually seek ways to improve the service that we provide. We are committed to working with criminal justice and voluntary sector partners to deliver a system which serves and protects local people.
A key cross-cutting exercise where the Northern Region is playing a vital role is in the reduction of avoidable delay. Together with our partner agencies in the region and the multi-agency Delay Action Team we are examining ways to bring summary cases before the courts as swiftly as possible, and to ensure victims are able to give their evidence soon after the crime has occurred. The aim of this initiative is to ensure that all minor offences are brought to justice swiftly, for example a drink driver will now be before the court within 21days of the offence being committed.
Notes to Editors
PPS took possession of Foyle Chambers on 13 March and was fully operational from 16th March. The Office in Ballymena opened December 2006.
PPS’s Northern Region covers the Antrim and Londonderry County Court Divisions and the Magistrates’ Courts sitting at Antrim, Larne, Coleraine, Ballymena, Magherafelt, Londonderry and Limavady.
The region has been fully operational since early 2007.
Northern Region is serviced by 109 staff, 32 of which are lawyers who take all prosecution decisions in approximately 15000 cases per year.