'Major advance' in justice reform

The man appointed to oversee changes to the justice system in Northern Ireland has said there has been a major advance over the past six months.

Lord Clyde cited the appointment of new lay magistrates, and the launch of a new Public Prosecution Service and Judicial Appointments Commission.

This is the former Scottish law lord's fourth report.

He raised a number of concerns about delays including that in signing a British-Irish agreement on justice.

Other concerns were delays in transferring prisoners between jails north and south of the border and the provision of proper accommodation for 10 to 13-year-old offenders.

Lord Clyde also said that he welcomes the progress that has been made on community restorative justice, through schemes such as youth conferencing which applies restorative justice to juvenile offenders.

Lord Clyde was appointed justice oversight commissioner in June 2003.

The Criminal Justice Review was set up as part of the Good Friday Agreement, and recommended more than 300 changes to the way the law operates in Northern Ireland.

In addition to the commissioner an independent criminal justice inspectorate was also established.

It is headed by Kit Chivers, Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Magistrates Courts.