It is always the hope and intention to return to jury trial in all cases in Northern Ireland. However, having considered the views of stakeholders and conducted a detailed analysis of the current threat, I believe it is necessary to extend the non-jury trial system at this time for use in a very small number of cases to ensure justice is administered fairly.

Therefore I am laying before Parliament an order to extend the non-jury trial provisions for a further period of two years.

I will of course keep the situation under review. The Government remain committed to a return to jury trial in all cases as soon as it is deemed appropriate.

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92% of convictions overturned in the first batch of appeals against convictions by the Diplock courts 
Hundreds of men and women found guilty of terrorism offences in Northern Ireland during the Troubles are attempting to have their cases reopened, alleging that the confessions that led to their convictions were beaten out of them by police.

The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), the body that investigates alleged miscarriages, has received applications from more than 200 people who argue that they fell victim to miscarriages of justice at the province's non-jury courts.

So far the court of appeal in Belfast has heard 26 cases referred by the commission, and has overturned convictions in 24 of those. Solicitors in Belfast and Derry say they believe many more people will be applying to the commission in the near future.

Ian Cobain , guardian.co.uk, Monday 11 October 2010