Special reports

Sir Brian is a former pupil of St Colman's College in Newry. He later studied law at Queen's University before being called to the bar. He is married with two sons.

In an exclusive and extremely rare interview, we asked Sir Brian about a wide range of issues affecting the criminal justice system; from public attitudes towards sentencing, to delays in the legal process, through to "28 day detention" legislation and the controversy surrounding the Omagh bomb trial.

The Lord Chief Justice rejected claims that judges are out of touch with what is happening in society and even told us about the day he found himself on the wrong side of the law.

Our Home Affairs Correspondent, Vincent Kearney, began by asking him why members of the judiciary so rarely give media interviews, and about public perceptions that sentencing is too lenient.

Nearly 80% of BBC Newsline e-panel viewers told us that they feel the justice system is weighted in favour of criminal rather than their victims. How does the judiciary intend to improve public confidence in the legal process?

When we sent a reporter to Laganside courts last week, more than 50% of the cases he witnessed over the five days were adjourned. So why are there so many delays? 

In the same week, the Lord Chief Justice and two other High Court judges ruled it was unlawful to extend the period in which six people, who were being questioned about security force murders, could be kept in custody. Does the ruling have future implications for the UK's anti-terror legislation?

Finally, Sir Brian responds to criticism of the Omagh bomb trial and is asked whether or not he personally has ever broken the law.