The Bar of Northern Ireland will be hosting a justice hustings on Wednesday 27 April in advance of elections to the NI Assembly.

Ahead of the event Gerry McAlinden QC, Chairman of the Bar Council of Northern Ireland, told Irish Legal News: “I am delighted that the Bar will be hosting this important event.

“The end of the 2011-2016 mandate marked the first full term of devolved justice powers in Northern Ireland, a tangible sign of progress and how far we have come in recent years. I believe that this is the first hustings event on justice and affords us with the opportunity to discuss the policy priorities for the sector with representatives from each of the main political parties ahead of the Assembly elections on 5th May.

“The run up to an election is a busy time for our political representatives so the Bar is very grateful to those who will be giving up time on the campaign trail to join us for tomorrow’s event - David Ford from the Alliance Party, Alastair Ross from the DUP, Raymond McCartney from Sinn Féin, Rodney McCune from the UUP & Alban Maginness from the SDLP.

“On twitter we will be using the hashtag #justings– I would encourage readers to follow and join in the conversation online too.”