On Monday 9 April the Bar of Ireland, the Law Society of Ireland and the Irish Council for Civil Liberties will host a one day conference on victims’ rights. Focusing on best practice from abroad the conference will challenge us on how we can improve our criminal justice system for the benefit of victims. The conference is funded by the Criminal Justice Programme of the European Union. Attendance at this conference is free to anyone who works with victims of crime, but pre-registration is essential to guarantee you a place. The day will be divided in two, with the final two hours more focused on the needs of barristers and solicitors. Speakers will include: Judith Thompson, Commissioner for Victims and Survivors in Northern Ireland. Judith will speak about the relevance of the Victims Directive in cross border crime and historical crime in the Brexit ear. Levent Altan, Executive Director of Victim Support Europe, who helped draft the Victims Directive. Levant will speak about victims rights and the definition of a victim. The Court House Dogs Foundation will speak to the use of specially trained dogs in US courtrooms and their use in the European Union. Mary Rose Gearty SC will illustrate best practice in cross-examining a victim via a mock consultation.
Maeve Lewis of the Victims’ Rights Association will be speaking about training she provided on trauma at the International Criminal Court as well as the impact trauma can have on a victim’s ability to give evidence. |