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Dame Siobhan Keegan, the Lady Chief Justice, has expressed concerns about the appropriateness of legal professionals providing character references. Highlighting issues raised by victims who feel unable to contest such references in court, she mentioned plans to have her sentencing group review the practice. Earlier this year, controversy emerged when David Lavery, the chief executive of the Law Society, wrote a character reference for his cousin, who had been convicted of serious sexual offenses. The Law Society is now preparing to hold a confidence vote regarding Lavery’s position.
In a detailed conversation on BBC Radio Ulster’s Good Morning Ulster, Dame Siobhan emphasized the complexity of the matter, noting that although judges are not required by law to consider character references, they frequently appear in legal proceedings. She remarked, “It’s unwise for certain people to give character references to start with and I think that has come to pass in a number of circumstances.” Additionally, she pointed out that the transparency of the process could pose challenges for victims, suggesting that better handling of the issue may be necessary.
Addressing recent political pressures on the judiciary, Dame Siobhan commented on the calls from politicians for harsher sentences. She referred to a heightened public reaction following certain court rulings, such as those involving a carer who took and shared inappropriate videos of patients, and a man who avoided immediate jail for grievous bodily harm to his infant daughter. Dame Siobhan urged restraint, stating that all involved—including politicians and media—should carefully consider the consequences of their remarks, emphasizing the need to maintain trust in the justice system through thoughtful commentary.
The Lady Chief Justice also reflected on the judiciary’s relationship with political matters, acknowledging that courts often face difficult situations when legal decisions intersect with contentious political issues. She referenced recent cases such as the quashing of restrictions on an Orange Order parade and the delay in implementing an Irish language strategy, underscoring that while political conflicts are not new to the courts, they ideally should be resolved outside the judicial arena. “Politicians should work this out. People should work this out but we’ll do our job if we have to and we will answer the legal question, that’s what we do,” Dame Siobhan remarked.
Turning to concerns about violence against women and girls, Dame Siobhan highlighted the persistent prevalence of such cases in the courts. She welcomed the existence of executive policies addressing the issue but emphasized that it remains a significant social and cultural problem, mainly perpetrated by men. She called for enhanced education around boundaries and relationships, particularly at the community level, where local leaders can play a crucial role. “We’ve got to weed out misogyny at every level and we’ve got to look at how we as a society stand up to this type of behaviour,” she said, linking societal misogyny to some offending patterns she encounters regularly
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