Natural Justice in NICS

This request has been withdrawn by the person who made it. There may be an explanation in the correspondence below.

Dear Department of Justice (Northern Ireland),

Since the time of the ancient Greeks, many have felt that a fundamental feature of natural justice is that no one can be a judge in his/her own case.

In NICS however, Countersigning Officers (COs) suspected of tampering with sacking Reports they have themselves countersigned, have long been permitted to judge themselves.

How many COs have historically found themselves guilty of fraud?

Are there any plans to amend this system?

Regarding Ombudpersons, is there any record of an Ombudsperson finding either him/her self, or a predecessor to have acted improperly?

A lot of people would love to know.

Yours faithfully,

AIDAN QUINN

Dear Department of Justice (Northern Ireland),
Hi we’re a little over due. Not to worry.

Just as an update, there are now real indications that the Scottish Government may be prepared to become involved in the investigation into problematic and long-standing NICS issues like Note and File Only Orders, Bullying cover- ups etc etc.

They may, possibly and subject to negotiation, be prepared to investigate other issues, but that of course is in no way guaranteed.

It is of course early days, the system has never before been tried, the co-operation of the current interim HOCS is not yet assured but nevertheless there are real signs of hope, of which DOJ should perhaps be aware.

In the circumstances, if DOJ would prefer that this
WhatDoThey Know Request be withdrawn, do please let me know.

Good Luck, I wish you well.

Yours faithfully,

AIDAN QUINN

Dear Department of Justice (Northern Ireland),

Hi, I don’t want to be thought to be criticising anybody but I think we all know that this is just taking too long. Events are overtaking us. In the circumstances, can I please ask for an Internal Review?

Good Luck,

I wish you well.

A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/n...

Yours faithfully,

AIDAN QUINN

Dear Department of Justice (Northern Ireland),
Hi this Internal Review has been ongoing for almost a month now and I think we all know it isn’t really getting anywhere. Don’t worry, Note and File Only Requirements with the ever-present risk of sacking for Reviewers failing to comply are not easy for anybody, maybe not Safe and not Healthy. Internal Reviewing staff are owed a Duty of Care too.

Maybe it’s best if we both just jointly accept that the FOI system is not really compatible with Ulster Note and File Only requirements and I just, on Health and Safety grounds, quietly withdraw, at least on a temporary basis, both the original Query and the Request for internal Review?

Please let me know what you think? Should matters ease, the Query and Request for Review can always be reinstated, no problem, and matters regularised.

Good Luck. As ever I wish you well. Keep safe, tour staff too.

Yours faithfully,

AIDAN QUINN