Impact Assessments: Reforming Scope and Merits

In developing these proposals, the Department has considered its statutory obligations under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. Section 75 requires public authorities, in carrying out their functions relating to Northern Ireland, to have due regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity across the nine Section 75 categories and regard to the desirability of promoting good relations between persons of different religious belief, political opinion and racial group.

In addition to equality considerations, the Department has assessed the proposals against a range of wider statutory and policy obligations to ensure that potential impacts are fully understood and considered during policy development. This includes consideration of the compatibility of the proposals with relevant human rights obligations, the potential impact on children and young people through a Child Rights Impact Assessment (CRIA), and the potential impact on businesses, voluntary and community organisations and public sector bodies through a Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA).

The Department has therefore undertaken equality screening and associated impact assessments in relation to the proposed legal aid merits reforms. Collectively, these assessments are intended to identify any differential impacts, whether adverse or beneficial, on individuals, organisations and communities, and to determine whether any mitigating measures may be required.

The Department welcomes views from consultees on these assessments, including any evidence, information or observations that may assist in informing the final policy position.