To: Members of the Northern Ireland Legislative Assembly.

Date: 16 April 2026

Subject: Petition for the Incorporation of a Jade’s Law equivalent into the Criminal Justice (Sentencing etc.) Bill

Dear Members of the Legislative Assembly,

We, the undersigned, call upon the Northern Ireland Assembly to take immediate steps to incorporate the principles of Jade’s Law into the Criminal Justice (Sentencing etc.) Bill, ensuring that families in Northern Ireland receive the same protections now afforded to those in England and Wales under the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024.

Jade’s Law was created to end the secondary victimisation of families following domestic homicide. It ensures that parental responsibility is automatically suspended for any parent convicted of murdering or committing voluntary manslaughter against the person with whom they shared that responsibility, and that the burden of proof rests with the convicted individual to justify any continued involvement in the child’s life.

Because family law is devolved, Northern Ireland remains outside the scope of these protections. This has left families, already devastated by loss, forced to consult the person responsible for their loved one’s death on decisions affecting surviving children. This is not only unjust; it is inhumane.

The tragic cases of over 30 women killed by an ex-partner or husband, many of whom had children, within the area of Northern Ireland in the past five years have brought this disparity into sharp focus. Their families, and others like them, deserve the same dignity and protection as families elsewhere in the United Kingdom.

We therefore petition the Assembly to act swiftly and compassionately to close this legislative gap. The inclusion of a Jade’s Law equivalent within the Criminal Justice (Sentencing etc.) Bill would demonstrate cross‑party unity and reaffirm Northern Ireland’s commitment to justice, child welfare, and victims’ rights.

This petition will be formally launched in Derry on 16 April 2026,

We respectfully urge all MLAs to support this initiative and stand together for compassion, justice, and parity.

Yours sincerely,

The signatories listed below.

Petition Format written and made public on 16 April 2026 at Derry/Londonderry Guild Hall by:

Edwin Duggan LLB(Hons)

Human Rights Advocate

Creator of the legislative framework known as "Jade’s Law" in England and Wales