Diplock courts were criminal courts in Northern Ireland for non-jury trial of specified serious crimes ("scheduled offences"). They were introduced by the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1973 and used for serious and terrorism-related cases during the Troubles.[1] The Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Act 2007 ended the automatic use of non-jury trials for scheduled offences but they are still used in Northern Ireland upon certification by the Director of Public Prosecutions on a case-by-case basis.[2]
- ^ "Two jailed for life for killing policeman Stephen Carroll". ITV News. 30 March 2012.
They were tried in a 'diplock court' by a judge with no jury; common in Northern Ireland for crimes connected to terrorism.
- ^ "'Diplock' trials could be coming to an end 50 years after they were first introduced". Belfast Telegraph. 7 November 2022.