All Crown Court judges in Northern Ireland are to attend training on serious sexual offence cases after one judge's comments led to two official complaints being registered.
Judge Brian Sherrard's comments while passing sentence in October caused controversy and led to an intervention from the Lady Chief Justice, Dame Siobhan Keegan.
The judge, sentencing a Co Tyrone man for sexual assault, said he should focus on "finding a wife or partner, getting a family and a home together.”
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Those comments led to complaints from Sinn Fein and DUP representatives, with Sinn Fein MLA Linda Dillon describing them as "simply astonishing" at the time.
Dame Siobhan Keegan acknowledged the stir the comments had caused at the time, saying: “I am aware of the concerns about the comments made by His Honour Judge Sherrard when sentencing a defendant at Dungannon Crown Court on Friday 7 October.
"I acknowledge that these comments have caused legitimate concern. I have considered the full transcript of the judge’s sentencing remarks and I have spoken to him.
"Following from this, I have provided advice and guidance to the judge in relation to these matters. In light of the importance of this issue generally I have also arranged for further guidance and training for all the judiciary, to address these concerns.”
Belfast Live understands NI judges will take part in that training on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.
When contacted, the Lady Chief Justice's office said they could "confirm that the training will be taking place next week" and that "it will cover all aspects of dealing with serious sexual offences cases".
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