As the legal year lumbers into ‘action’ some recent developments are of note. The Chief Justice, having tried a publicity campaign for additional funds, has turned to making his own team more efficient. Aside from getting the young ones to become  involved in new projects, recent retirees, Girvan and Weir , have been brought back from  to help out. As we await the appeal by the State into Maguire J’s excoriating criticisms of the Department of Justice’s underfunding of the Police Ombudsman, Dr Maguire has allocated significant resources into the investigation of alleged impropriety by the Chief Constable and several of his officers. The underfunding issue regarding inquests also touched upon the question as to whether Arlene Foster should be a party to proceedings. It seems that she is making the case that she is too busy with other issues. That might soon change.

The statement from the Chief Justice is to be found here. Judge to examine outstanding legacy litigation

The challenge to the Coroner’s verdict in the Pearse Jordan case was lost and the family say that they are heading to the Court of Appeal. It would be interesting to know if this litigation has and will continue to receive State funding.Parents of IRA man Pearse Jordan to fight on after losing challenge to inquest verdict

ULET , having investigated the circumstances surrounding the murder of John Bingham and having referred the matter to the Operation Kenova team, have now turned their attention to the murder of Ray Smallwoods and the part played by Brian Gillen, state agent at the time. smallwoods appeal

Finally , James Brokenshire gave evidence before the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee and was asked about compensation for those killed or injured by PIRA/Libyan supplied Semtex. He said that HMG wanted a “just solution”. He told the Committee that the Foreign Secretary, who had met a cross party group of MPs had undertaken to write to them, setting out his views about seizing frozen assets , particularly Gadafy’s , after they have been released by the UN.