No decision yet on appeal over sex laws judgment, Naomi Long insists

No decision has yet been made on whether an appeal will be lodged against a High Court ruling that elements of contentious sexual offence anonymity legislation were unlawful, Justice Minister Naomi Long has said.

However, Ms Long confirmed she has circulated the “rationale” for any potential appeal to her Stormont ministerial colleagues, and is seeking their views.

The Sexual Offences and Trafficking Victims Act came into force in Northern Ireland last year.

It excludes the public from Crown Court rape cases and also provides anonymity for suspects in sexual offence cases up to the point of charge.

The legislation also set out that those not subsequently charged will have anonymity for their lifetime and for 25 years after their death.

Media organisations launched a legal challenge against some sections of the Act, amid concern over the impact on the reporting of sexual offence allegations.

An example given was that the legislation would have prevented the media from being able…

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