Published date:
The Commissioner Designate has written to the President of the Law Society of Northern Ireland expressing concern over the society’s lack of transparency regarding the internal process following the decision by its Chief Executive, David Lavery, to provide a good character reference in support of an individual convicted of sexual violence against children.
The Commissioner Designate said:
“I have been contacted by victims and victims’ groups who have expressed shock and horror that Mr Lavery has remained in post despite providing a good character reference to a convicted child sex offender. Concerns relate to both the decision itself and the Law Society’s handling of the matter.
“On the back of this I have written to the Law Society seeking further clarification on how the decision was reached to allow Mr Lavery to continue remain at the helm of Northern Ireland’s solicitor regulatory body. I am concerned that the Law Society has not fully appreciated the impact that this matter has had on victims of domestic and sexual abuse, or on public confidence in the legal profession as a whole.
“The issue of providing good character references in cases of domestic and sexual abuse, particularly where grooming and exploitation of vulnerable people including children was involved, has been debated extensively in recent years. Such is the seriousness of the issue that the Minister of Justice, Naomi Long, has committed to accelerating her plan to change the rules in such cases.
“It is deeply concerning that Mr Lavery, given his position of significant public trust and authority, would choose to exercise his considerable influence in such a way. Even more concerning is that the Law Society has not been transparent in how they came to the decision to allow Mr Lavery to remain in post, particularly when the matter relates to our societal commitment to end violence against women and children.
“Victims and the public in general need to have confidence in their legal profession, whom they rely upon when seeking protection from abusers. They also need to feel that if any member of that profession has failed them, they can be confident that the Law Society will handle their complaint robustly, ethically and transparently. I am concerned that the handling of this case to date has eroded such trust and have urged the Society to publish a fuller account of the process undertaken and the rationale for its conclusions. I will continue to push for us all to play our part in helping to break the silence around abuse, challenging attitudes and behaviours that undermine victim confidence. It is only through collective action that we will build a culture where victims feel empowered to come forward and where there is genuine zero tolerance for abuse in all its forms.”