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 The BBC's David Eades"The most devisive issue may be the emblem of the crown"  real 28k  The BBC's David Eades"Effectively removing the role of the crown in appointing judges"  real 28k |
The Criminal Justice Review, published on Thursday, contains almost 300 recommendations including a plan to reduce the role of the Crown in the justice system.
It has been published after 18 months of work by a review group, made up of four civil servants and five independent assessors.
Unionists have criticised the report as "anti-British" but human rights campaigners have welcomed it as "largely positive".
Among the recommendations in the report, has been the creation of a single, independent prosecuting authority to take over the work currently handled by the police and the Director of Public Prosecutions.
It has also suggested no change to the Royal coat of arms outside court buildings, but has said there should be no such symbols inside courtrooms.
Ulster Unionist MP for Lagan Valley Jeffrey Donaldson said: "Publication of this new report with its bias towards republicans is just going to undermine unionist confidence further.
"I believe the review will have the same impact as the Patten policing report and it could be extremely damaging at this very sensitive time."
 Ian Paisley Jnr: "Political recommendations"
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He said it had been an "unmitigated disaster" adding: "Those who encouraged it and those who welcomed it, especially in the unionist community have an awful lot of explaining to do.
"This involves politics at the heart of the justice system and will lead to unfairness, not fairness in our courts."
However, Alex Attwood, the justice spokesman for the Social Democratic and Labour Party, said the report would have "overwhelming support".
Human rights campaigners have also welcomed the review.
Martin O'Brien, of the Committee on the Administration of Justice, said it was a recognition that the criminal justice system in the province, had not complied with international human rights standards.
"We were pleased to see the centrality which the report gives to human rights. In particular, the idea that everybody inside the criminal justice system should be trained in human rights matters.
"We're also pleased with the recommendations in relation to the establishment of an independent prosecution system."
 Alex Attwood: Would be supported"
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John Meehan of the Northern Ireland Law Society said he had "no doubt" that the standard of integrity, reliability and skills of the judiciary in Northern Ireland had been "second to none".
But he said the new proposals would make it "more apparent" that judges were appointed on merit basis.
Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson has said the recommendations were "a major contribution to the debate on criminal justice issues in Northern Ireland".
"Publication of the report takes forward an important part of the Good Friday Agreement, " Mr Mandelson said.
There will be a six-month consultation period on the report.
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