To ask the Minister of Justice what training exists for everyone involved within court processes, including lawyers and judges, to ensure that any attempts by abusers to manipulate legal systems are recognised and prevented.

A range of training is available to staff across the criminal justice system to help them better understand the impact of domestic abuse and how best to meet the needs of victims. An annual training statement, setting out information about the level of training undertaken in relation to domestic abuse is published annually and available on my Department’s website at; https://www.justice-ni.gov.uk/publications/training-statement-domestic-abuse-offence

As you will be aware, the judiciary are independent, including with respect to training and I am bound to respect that independence. The Lady Chief Justice has statutory responsibility for the provision of training for the independent judiciary. However, my Department is committed to sharing training and awareness-raising resources that have been developed by and for our justice partners with the judiciary, where that is appropriate and helpful.

Although my Department is not responsible for training of the legal profession, I understand that both the Law Society and the Bar have arranged training on domestic abuse and coercive control to assist their members in cases involving a victim of domestic abuse.