Published Wednesday, 23 February 2011
The wide-ranging bill, Northern Ireland's first in 40 years, was introduced in October by Justice Minister David Ford.
Its 108 clauses cover measures to enhance victims services, streamline the justice system, improve community safety and reform Legal Aid.
However, Lagan Valley MLA Basil McCrea has strongly criticised its approach to sex offenders, which he says has been "softened".
Amendment 27 of the bill takes cognisance of a Supreme Court ruling that it is a breach of human rights to label someone a sex offender for life.
"However, rather than bring NI into line with the ruling, David Ford has actually undertaken to soften the law towards sex offenders more than was necessary," Mr McCrea said.
"I am concerned that this new clause goes much further than necessary in aiding the cause of sexual offenders in gaining a review of indefinite notification requirements.
"The reversing of the obligation from the offender to the Chief Constable is also a backward step which is not necessary and represents a softening in approach towards sex offenders form the Justice Minister. Furthermore, it also creates a huge burden on the PSNI to deal with issues which they do not have the training or resources to do."
The UUP member had further reservations about a number of other items included in the document including changes to the definition of 'sectarian hatred', and the drinking of alcohol at sports venues.
He said it has turned into a "dog's dinner" which is being rushed through Stormont without proper scrutiny.
Speaking on UTV Live Tonight, the minister for justice defended the bill, saying he was "absolutely keen" to have it agreed in line with commitments made in the Hillsborough Agreement last year.
"There was a commitment in the Hillsborough Castle agreement that there would be a justice bill, in fact three's probably almost as much material that we weren't able to get in because of pressure of work," David Ford said.
"I was absolutely keen to ensure that we delivered on the commitment from Hillsborough. We showed that we can start to reshape the justice system in the first year.
"I think it is a very significant overhaul and it ties in alongside other work that we are doing. The key question is what we can deliver after the May election when some of those reports come back."
The Assembly debate over the bill began on Tuesday and is to continue on Wednesday.