To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Bach on 19 March (WA 70–71), whether they will consider ending the practice of Northern Ireland magistrates deciding whether a case merits two counsel and introducing into Northern Ireland law a rule such as that in the Criminal Defence Service (General) (No. 2) Regulations 2001 setting out the circumstances in which more than one advocate may be allowed in criminal proceedings. [HL2523]

The current statutory provisions which determine the level and number of legal representatives assigned to a defendant in criminal proceedings in Northern Ireland are being reviewed.