Department of Justice

The Department of Justice (DOJ) was established by the Department of Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 and came into existence on 12 April 2010.  It has a range of devolved policing and justice functions, set out in the Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010.

The mission of the Department is to support the Minister of Justice in building a fair, just and safer community.

In addition to its statutory functions, the department provides resources and a legislative framework for its agencies and arms length bodies (which together constitute most of the justice system in Northern Ireland). Together with these organisations the department is responsible for ensuring there is a fair and effective justice system in Northern Ireland and for increasing public confidence in that system.