The development of a pilot scheme for a court modelled on the Substance Misuse Court was raised in Northern Ireland’s first adult restorative justice strategy when it was published in March 2022.

However, a progress update published by the Department of Justice says it is no longer feasible in the medium-term due to “budget and resource constraints”.

The document relegates the establishment of Restorative Justice Court to a “long-term consideration”.

A separate pilot of restorative justice approaches in diversionary cases will still go ahead this year.

“The adult restorative justice strategy is committed to delivering RJ at every stage of the criminal justice system and the development of this pilot is directly contributing to that commitment,” the update says.

“A restorative justice task and finish group has been established to learn from previous workstreams and develop this new pilot to give it the highest chance of success.”

Justice minister Naomi Long said: “This third progress report is an important update on our work in restorative justice over the past year.

“Key actions progressed include the development of a new Practice Standards and Accreditation Framework, which will clearly set out the requirements to become accredited and promote consistent, quality practice.

“The framework, and the work that it guides moving forward, will also encourage integration of restorative justice within the adult criminal justice system.”