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Look again at legacy proposals – NI solicitors

The President of the Law Society of Northern Ireland has called on the British government to reconsider its proposals on addressing the legacy of Northern Ireland’s past.

Rowan White (pictured) made the call in an address at an event held by the society’s council on Friday (24 September).

The government paper, published in July, called for an end to what it called “the divisive cycle of criminal investigations and prosecutions”, and proposed the introduction of a statute of limitations to apply equally to all Troubles-related incidents.

Duty

“Solicitors have a vital role in supporting victims and survivors across all communities to access justice, in relation to events that happened during ‘the Troubles’ in Northern Ireland,” he said.

Mr White added that the society, which represents Northern Ireland’s solicitors, noted “with concern” the proposals published in the paper on the issue.

According to its president, the solicitors’ body believes that the proposals contravene Britain’s duty, under the European Convention on Human Rights, to hold independent and effective investigations into the deaths that occurred during the Troubles.