My right honourable friend the Minister of State for Northern Ireland (Paul Goggins) has made the following Ministerial Statement.

During the passage of the Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Act 2007 commitments were given that a Statement would be made to Parliament each year on the volume of non-jury trial cases under the legislation. This is the second such Statement.

During the period 1 August 2008 to 31 July 2009 inclusive, the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland issued 13 certificates. This is fewer than the 29 certificates issued during the first year of operation of the system, but indicates that there are still a number of cases in which the Director of Public Prosecutions was satisfied that the administration of justice might be impaired if the trial were to be conducted with a jury.

There will be a review of the non-jury trial system, including a full public consultation, before it next falls to be renewed in July 2011.