Northern Ireland

Strong and independent judiciary is `vital'

Sarah Ramsey, Chair of the Bar of Northern Ireland
Sarah Ramsey, Chair of the Bar of Northern Ireland Sarah Ramsey, Chair of the Bar of Northern Ireland

THE Supreme Court ruling on the prorogation of parliament has highlighted the crucial role of an independent judiciary, the chair of the Bar Library has said.

Sarah Ramsey said a strong judiciary and legal profession were vital to ensuring all citizens in Britain and Northern Ireland had access to justice and that the rule of law was upheld.

"The importance of both independent judges and legal professionals are recognised around the world in playing a fundamental role in the maintenance of the rule of law as one of the foundations of any free and democratic society," she said.

"Our court system and judges exist so that the laws made by parliament can be interpreted. Members of the judiciary are expected to be strictly impartial when considering how the law should be applied in any particular case and it is the court's role to determine an appropriate course of action; a judge's ruling is not an expression of any personal viewpoint."

Regardless of differing public and political opinions on the decision, she added, the Supreme Court ruling was "an important expression of the constitutional checks and balances that exist in our democracy".

"It remains unclear as to where the political debate will take us in the coming weeks, yet the judgment of the court has demonstrated that the judiciary and legal profession act independently and review the cases before them based on their lawfulness," she said.