Northern Ireland's most senior judge has set out his blueprint for strengthening public confidence in the justice system.
In a speech to mark the opening of the new legal year, Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan outlined his plans on sentencing guidelines and for engagement with both Stormont and the community.
He also declared the judiciary's record in making the right decisions in over 100,000 cases they deal with every year should be a source of reassurance.
As he stressed the critical importance of judges' complete independence, Sir Declan vowed to find ways for their role within the justice system to be better explained.
Sir Declan argued this was important so the public understand what they can and cannot do.
He pointed out that it was for the Assembly to make or comment on policy or legislation to set or increase maximum sentences.
Nevertheless, members of the judiciary have taken part in District Policing Partnerships events to speak about their obligations and responsibilities when granting bail and sentencing, Sir Declan explained.
He said: "I see this as part of our responsibility to ensure and enhance public confidence in the justice system.
"I am fully committed to continuing to build on these relationships and to identify other ways in which authoritative but readily understandable information about the work of the judiciary can be disseminated."
As he sought to define the role of the judiciary to an audience at the Royal Courts of Justice in Belfast, Sir Declan said the judicial function requires impartiality which means they are not responsible to the Assembly or the Executive.
"But the judges must apply the law," he added.
"They cannot act arbitrarily and there is a proportionate system of appeals in place by way of safeguard to ensure this. And, of course, it is for the Assembly to determine whether the law should be changed."
Sir Declan said that the judiciary deal with more than 100,000 cases each year, with over 57,000 defendants were dealt with in the Crown, magistrates' and youth courts in 2009.
The Lord Chief Justice said that while judges may not get it right every time, the vast array and number of cases they deal with should be recognised as should the fact that they invariably do make the correct decisions.
He added that this is greatly to the credit of the judiciary and should be a reassurance to the public.
Outlining initiatives taken forward by the judiciary in the past year, he said a Criminal Courts Judicial Committee has been established to look at issues relating to the progress of criminal cases and to make recommendations to him on ways to tackle delay.
A Sentencing Group has also been established which has led to a new system to identify areas of need for further sentencing guidelines or guidance.
Sir Declan said he would be happy for the public to identify the areas they feel that guidance should cover. Those currently being considered are domestic violence, dangerousness, serious sexual offences, environmental crime, attacks on the vulnerable and people trafficking.
He also revealed that the judiciary is looking at the potential for greater use of mediation, or alternative dispute resolution, in appropriate civil cases.
The early resolution of differences through mediation is a more efficient, economical system and potentially less damaging to relationships, he argued.
Emphasising his plans for the coming year, Sir Declan added: "I will continue to seek to build relationships, to progress the work that we have identified and begun, for example on sentencing, and seek to build confidence in our system of justice of which I think we should be proud."
© UTV News