Judge Bagnall, sitting in Belfast Magistrates’ Court, is now allowed to begin making referrals to the Substance Misuse Pilot Court as of today, while Judge McElholm, sitting in Londonderry Magistrates’ Court, can begin making referrals to the Domestic Violence Perpetrator Programme Pilot Court.

The pilots have been funded by the Department of Justice (DoJ) in a bid to find innovative ways to “break the cycle of offending”.

Judge Bagnall and Judge McElholm will also oversee the respective pilot courts, which are expected to sit for the first time in April.

A practice direction issued by the Lord Chief Justice yesterday states that the Substance Misuse Pilot Court will meet on Thursday afternoons up to once a week, while the Domestic Violence Perpetrator Programme Pilot Court will meet on Tuesdays up to once a fortnight.

Where a referral is made to a problem-solving court, the defendant will be asked if he or she wants to participate in the voluntary programme.