Chloe Mitchell trial to proceed after Minister and CBA reach agreement

Young Ballymena woman Chloe Mitchell who was brutally murdered in the town.

The Chloe Mitchell trial will proceed after Justice Minister Naomi Long and representatives of the Criminal Bar Association reached agreement following talks aimed at resolving the current impasse within the criminal justice system.

In a joint statement issued on Sunday (15 February), the Minister and the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) confirmed that an accelerated review of the fees structure will commence and that the upcoming trial involving the murder of Chloe Mitchell will be exempt from the CBA’s withdrawal of services.

Further meetings between the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the CBA are scheduled for next week.

Joint statement confirms trial E

exemption

The joint statement said:

“Justice Minister Naomi Long and representatives of the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) have met in an effort to resolve the current impasse within the Criminal justice system.

“The meeting was a constructive one and whilst not all issues have been resolved the Minister has agreed to commence an accelerated review and the CBA have agreed to exempt the upcoming trial involving the murder of Chloe Mitchell from its withdrawal of services.

“Further meetings between the DOJ and the CBA are scheduled for next week.”

The agreement follows recent engagement between the CBA, the Mitchell family and North Antrim political representatives.

Minister: ‘Victims are central to everything we do’

Ms Long said:

“The meeting today was constructive, and I welcome the CBA’s commitment to engaging to find solutions to the recent impasse. Whilst not all issues have been resolved, a decision has now been taken which will enable the Chloe Mitchell trial to progress.

“I recently met with the family, and I am humbled by their resilience and determination to see justice for Chloe.

“We must never lose sight of the fact that victims are central to everything we do. We must protect them, we must serve them and we must be prepared to make hard decisions for them.”

Her comments emphasise the human impact of the uncertainty surrounding the trial, with Chloe Mitchell’s family awaiting clarity amid ongoing industrial action.

CBA welcomes accelerated Review

Michael Chambers KC, Vice Chair of the Criminal Bar Association, said:

“We welcome the Minister’s frank and constructive engagement with the CBA today, following on from the CBA’s meeting with the Mitchell family and North Antrim political representatives yesterday, during which we had an opportunity not only to listen but also to explain the full background of the strike to them.

“Our consistent position has been that our members want to be in Court, dealing with cases like Chloe’ We welcome the Minister’s confirmation that an accelerated review will proceed and it is our hope that this will produce the urgent reforms necessary to enable a full return to work.”

Allister welcomes outcome

North Antrim MP Jim Allister also welcomed confirmation that the Chloe Mitchell trial will go ahead, following his own meeting with the Criminal Bar Association on Friday.

He said:

“I greatly welcome that the Chloe Mitchell trial will proceed. Following our meeting on Friday with the Criminal Bar Association, it was clear that if the minister re-engaged with the mid January plan of a fast tracked review of the fees structure, then this outcome was attainable.

“It is regrettable that the minister aborted the fast-track review she agreed in mid January - only now to rightly reinstate it - because she then caused to the Mitchell family needless anxiety, as part of the aborted January agreement was that Chloe’s case would proceed.

“I commend the Criminal Bar Association for its flexibility and willingness to respond to the needs of the Mitchell family and others.

“I trust we are now on a course which can lead to a fair outcome to the current CBA action.”

The confirmation that the Chloe Mitchell trial will proceed brings clarity after weeks of concern that strike action could delay proceedings, with political representatives and the family seeking urgent resolution.

North Antrim MLAs: Justice system must fully resume

North Antrim DUP MLA Paul Frew, who chairs the Northern Ireland Assembly Justice Committee, welcomed confirmation that the Chloe Mitchell trial will be exempt from the Criminal Bar Association’s withdrawal of services.

Mr Frew said:

“I welcome the exemption of the upcoming trial relating to the murder of Chloe Mitchell from the withdrawal of services. Having spoken recently to Chloe’s father, George, I know how much this decision will mean to the wider family, and it is right that their search for justice is not further delayed.

“I also welcome the resumption of talks between the Department of Justice and the Criminal Bar Association, and the clear commitment to continue that engagement into next week.

“It is vital that we continue to see positivity and constructive engagement on all sides, with the shared aim of securing a breakthrough that allows everyone to return to progressing criminal cases. Victims and their families deserve a justice system that works for them.

“Restoring the effective operation of the criminal justice system must remain a priority for all involved.”

North Antrim UUP MLA Jon Burrows also welcomed confirmation that the trial of the man charged with Chloe Mitchell’s murder will proceed following talks on Friday with key stakeholders.

Mr Burrows, alongside Jim Allister KC MP and Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland, met representatives of the Criminal Bar Association and Chloe’s father, George Mitchell, in an effort to prevent industrial action from delaying the trial.

Mr Burrows said:

“I welcome the confirmation that the trial will go ahead. This is a significant relief for Chloe’s family, who have endured an unimaginable ordeal,

“On Friday, it became evident during our meeting that there was a clear pathway to ensuring the trial proceeded. This depended on the willingness of the Justice Minister to accept a plan proposed by the CBA in mid-January for an accelerated review of fees. I am delighted that this proposal has now been agreed upon, allowing the trial to move forward.

“The Criminal Bar Association engaged during the meeting with openness and flexibility. I want to extend my thanks to Michael Chambers KC, who chaired the meeting and to his colleagues for their constructive approach. His efforts, and those of everyone involved, mean so much to Chloe’s grieving family and friends as they seek justice .”

Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland described the confirmation as a significant development after months of delay and said she had been working closely with the Mitchell family to ensure their concerns were heard.

Ms Mulholland said:

“Today’s news offers a long-awaited glimmer of hope for Chloe’s family,

“They have endured unimaginable heartbreak while facing repeated delays, with each setback compounding their trauma and uncertainty. Chloe’s family had described their ongoing wait for confirmation as “torture”, marked by sleepless nights, anxiety and a constant fear that justice might again be postponed.

“Chloe’s family have shown extraordinary courage, dignity and strength throughout this agonising process. I have been humbled to stand beside them over these many months and to help bring together those who needed to hear directly from the people most deeply affected by these delays.

“Today’s development is not just procedural; it is profoundly human. It represents a step toward justice for a young woman whose life was taken far too soon, and a step toward healing for a family who have carried an unbearable weight with grace no family should ever be asked to bear.

“I want to thank Chloe’s family for their trust. The Mitchells deserve nothing less than clarity, compassion and justice, and I will continue to support them every step of the way.”

Collectively, the North Antrim representatives emphasised that while the immediate priority is ensuring the Chloe Mitchell trial proceeds without further delay, broader efforts must continue to restore the full and effective operation of the criminal justice system for victims and families across Northern Ireland.