Gillen review: Key recommendations

  • Published
Sir John Gillen
Image caption,

Sir John Gillen led the review which was prompted by the trial of two Ulster Rugby players

There are more than 200 recommendations in Sir John Gillen's preliminary report.

Here are the eight key recommendations:

  • Public access to trials involving serious sexual offences to be confined to close family members of complainant and the defendant.

  • Cross-examination of complainants to be pre-recorded and away from court - initially for vulnerable people but eventually extended to all complainants in serious sexual offences;

  • Measures to combat rape myths and stereotypes, like suggestions that victims provoke rape by the way they dress or act;

  • More robust attitude by judges to prevent improper cross-examination about previous sexual history;

  • The accused will be anonymous until they are charged, but from that point they will be identified;

  • Accused will have right to apply for a judge-alone trial without a jury - this would only be granted in "rare circumstances";

  • New legislation to manage dangers created by social media;

  • Steps to combat excessive delay in the judicial system.