The big guns of UK law made a striking move in Belfast this week. The Law Officers and Advocate General for Scotland were ceremonially called to the Bar of Northern Ireland during their two-day visit – a nod to their shared commitment across the UK.
Legal Heavyweights Join Northern Ireland Bar
Victoria Prentis KC MP, Attorney General of England and Wales and Advocate General for Northern Ireland, leads the charge. Alongside her, the Solicitor General for England and Wales and Lord Stewart, Advocate General for Scotland, earned their official call to the Northern Ireland Bar on 31 March 2023.
Though these UK Government legal advisers already hold rights of audience in Northern Ireland, this ceremony highlights their dedication to all parts of the UK. Prentis said: “This call to the Bar of Northern Ireland demonstrates the commitment of all three UK law officers to each every part of the UK.”
The legal trio also toured the Royal Courts of Justice in Belfast, meeting key figures like Dame Siobhan Roisin Keegan, Lady Chief Justice of Northern Ireland, members of the Northern Ireland Bar, and top lawyers at the Crown Solicitor’s Office tackling vital government legal matters.
Visiting Northern Ireland Alternatives: Restorative Justice In Action
On their visit, the Law Officers dropped in on Northern Ireland Alternatives, a charity born in 1998 to tackle low-level crime and antisocial behaviour with restorative justice – a genius way to defuse paramilitary-style conflict without violence.
This government-approved programme runs several centres across Northern Ireland, including the Greater Shankill site – a hub of community work, outreach in schools, and training on positive conflict resolution.
Talking to staff and young participants, the Law Officers saw how the charity transforms lives. Prentis praised the initiative: “Northern Ireland Alternatives has helped to transform the lives of young people by making them understand the harm that their crimes have caused and giving them the tools to make better choices.”
The charity’s approach builds relationships, eases community tensions, and steers youngsters away from crime. Most participants come through referrals from the PSNI, Northern Ireland Housing Executive, or local groups. They receive year-round training, mentoring, and ongoing support.
Debbie Watters OBE, Co-Director of Northern Ireland Alternatives, said:
“Northern Ireland Alternatives was delighted to host the Attorney General in Belfast and to allow her to hear first hand from a young man who had experienced paramilitary threat; the criminal justice system and restorative interventions.”
“Her commitment to and affirmation of restorative justice and the work of Alternatives means so much to both the organisation and the community and reinforces the ongoing need for partnerships between the justice system and community restorative justice programmes.”
This visit underlines the growing importance of restorative justice in healing Northern Ireland’s fractured communities. With strong backing from top legal officers, programmes like Northern Ireland Alternatives are gaining momentum – boosting community peace and giving young people a second chance.
