Appointment of the first Justice Minister - 12 April 2010

Devolution of Policing and Justice
In the early stages of the 2007-2011 mandate there was disagreement, primarily between the DUP and Sinn Féin, over the devolution of policing and justice.
On 1 December 2009, the Department of Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 passed its final stage in the Assembly. The Act would facilitate the establishment of a Department of Justice and the appointment of a Justice Minister.
On 5 February 2010, Sinn Féin and the DUP reached an agreement at Hillsborough Castle on completing the devolution of policing and justice powers to the Northern Ireland Executive.
It was agreed that the Justice Minister would be elected by a cross-community vote in the Assembly following a nomination by an MLA. Working groups were established to consider how to improve the regulation of parades; how the Executive might function better; and how to implement outstanding matters from the St Andrews Agreement.
The Hillsborough Agreement allowed the devolution of Policing and Justice powers to the Assembly on 12 April 2010 and David Ford of the Alliance Party was appointed as the Justice Minister.