Jul
30
Friday
| Workshop 2 p.m. - Northern Ireland |
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Workshop 2 Northern Ireland – Courts, The Northern Ireland Perspective – Judge Mervyn Bates The professional judiciary in Northern Ireland has been going through a transition. However, some traditional Court practices and procedures remain unchanged. This presentation will describe the manner in which Domestic Abuse cases are dealt with in both civil and criminal contexts; some of the work underlying changes in attitude and approach that is developing will be highlighted, including the training of the judiciary and associated staff. The recent changes in the political and policy framework within Northern Ireland and how these are blending in parallel with the Judiciary and its changing approach will be discussed. Possible changes in the future will be put to the workshop participants for consideration and feedback. Downloads Presentation Notes Workshop Notes PRESENTER BIOGRAPHY Mervyn Bates Mervyn Bates qualified as a solicitor in 1975 and was in private practice in both Belfast and Comber until 2000. He was appointed as a deputy Resident Magistrate in 1993 and full-time in 2000. He has sat in all Magistrates’ Courts across Northern Ireland, dealing with criminal, domestic, youth and family cases, latterly presiding in the Youth and Family Courts in Newry, Co. Down. Since 2005 Mervyn Bates has been assigned to Bangor and Downpatrick Courts. As a Family Court judge he has participated in the Children Order Advisory Committee, chairing Early Intervention in Family proceedings. Judge Bates also has been actively involved with Barnardo’s, promoting their risk assessment tool for domestic violence, and with establishment and promotion of the new restorative Youth Court system. Since 2007 he has been with the Regional Strategy Group on domestic abuse, chairing the sub committee on Protection & Justice. |