KRW LAW statement on Government announcement on Repeal of Legacy Act

We welcome todays news. The planned repeal of the previous Tory administrations toxic Legacy Act will come as a massive relief to 100s of Conflict bereaved families and survivors.

True to their word Labour have delivered on their pre-election promises.

Speaking after the latest news emerged, solicitor Kevin Winters said, “We now have the immediate welcome task of contacting over 100 clients that their hitherto abandoned High court civil actions are likely to be reinstated and informing over 20 next of kin that their family inquest cases can be held.

It was one of the most difficult tasks in my legal career to find myself writing to so many people telling them their Legacy cases had fallen by the wayside. It seemed surreal at times listening to myself try to explain why the doors of the court had to close for them. This toxic Act offended a centuries old inalienable right of a citizen to have access to the courts and all because elements within the previous administration and others wanted to prevent examination of State criminality during the Conflict.

I fully commend the Prime Minister and the new Secretary of State Hilary Benn in moving swiftly to eradicate the draconian aftereffects of the Legacy Act. Whilst todays announcement isn’t an immediate wholesale dismantling of The Act it’s the next best thing to it. It remains to be seen what shape the ICRIR takes but for now it’s enough to know that steps will be taken to reassess where and how it squares with all the anticipated changes.