01 Vol. 9 Body 2012_IPJ

This paper draws upon the inspection fieldwork and reports of The Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland on the problem of excessive and avoidable delays in the processing of criminal cases. Much of the delay is caused by the inherent ineffectiveness and inefficiencies of a ‘system’ that lacks a whole-systems approach to the delivery of its core services. This is demonstrated by the lack of joint accountability structures, competing targets, an over-reliance on models of operational indepen dence, inadequate performance management systems, and cultural and administrative resistance to fundamental change. The main recommendations of the single integrated criminal justice inspectorate are focused on promoting and facilitating a shared and collaborative approach.