Lady Chief Justice: unwise for legal profession members to give character references for people found guilty by the courts

The Lady Chief Justice has said it’s unwise for members of the legal profession to give character references for people found guilty by the courts. She was speaking in a wide-ranging interview with Good Morning Ulster ahead of a meeting of the Law Society NI, where members are expected to vote on whether they have confidence in its Chief Executive David Lavery. Mr Lavery gave a reference for his cousin William Lloyd Lavery. David Lavery has apologised after providing a reference for his cousin, who was jailed earlier this year for abusing four schoolgirls in the 1970s.
Dame Siobhan Keegan - who is Northern Ireland's most senior judge - said she was prepared to look at the issue of character references, amid concerns from victims that they have no opportunity to challenge them in court.