Sarah Ramsey

The panel debate, entitled “Stormont Stalemate: politicians, civil servants or the courts – who decides?”, will consider the implications of the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation and Exercise of Functions) Act 2018 which aims to enable civil servants to take certain decisions in the absence of Northern Ireland Ministers.

Sarah Ramsey, chair of the Bar Council of Northern Ireland, will chair the event, which will also hear from Attorney General John Larkin QC; Department of Justice Permanent Secretary Peter May; DUP justice spokesperson Paul Frew MLA; Sinn Féin justice spokesperson Raymond McCartney MLA; and public law specialist Karen Quinlivan QC.

Ms Ramsey said: “The Bar is delighted to launch our new discussion series, Leaders in Legal Excellence, today with a panel debate on the implications of the new Westminster legislation introduced by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

“We believe that it is vitally important to create a conversation space for representatives of the legal and justice sector to come together to discuss our shared objectives, policy priorities and the challenges facing us in the absence of a functioning Assembly and Executive.”