Source: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nia/2015/9/body/enacted
Timestamp: 2018-01-21 03:11:45
Document Index: 398346830

Matched Legal Cases: ['ART 1', 'ART 2', 'ART 4', 'ART 5', 'art 3', 'ART 6', 'art 3', 'ART 7', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'art 3', 'art 2', 'ART 8', 'art 1', 'art 7', 'art 2', 'art 2']

PART 1SINGLE JURISDICTION FOR COUNTY COURTS AND MAGISTRATES’ COURTS
Single jurisdiction: abolition of county court divisions and petty sessions districts
1.—(1) Northern Ireland is no longer to be divided into county court divisions and petty sessions districts.
(2) The jurisdiction and powers of a county court or a magistrates’ court are exercisable throughout the whole of Northern Ireland.
Administrative court divisions
2.—(1) The Department, after consultation with the Lord Chief Justice, shall by directions divide Northern Ireland into areas to be known as administrative court divisions.
(2) The directions may specify different administrative court divisions for different courts and for different purposes of the same court and, in particular, may specify administrative court divisions—
(a)for all purposes of a court;
(b)for specified purposes of a court (for example for the purposes of a county court sitting as a family care centre or a court of summary jurisdiction sitting as a family proceedings court);
(c)for the residual purposes of a court (that is to say for all purposes other than those dealt with under paragraph (b)).
(3) For the purposes of this section “court” means—
(a)a county court;
(b)a magistrates’ court.
(4) Each administrative court division established by directions under this section is to be known by such name as is specified in the directions.
Directions as to distribution of business
3.—(1) The Lord Chief Justice may give directions as to—
(a)the distribution of the business of county courts among such courts;
(b)the transfer of such business from one county court to another;
(c)the distribution of the business of magistrates’ courts among such courts;
(d)the transfer of such business from one magistrates’ court to another.
(2) For the purpose of subsection (1) “the business of county courts” includes—
(a)all such proceedings and matters whatsoever (whether civil or criminal) as under any statutory provision are to be heard by a county court (of any description);
(b)all such other things as under any statutory provision are to be done by, or in relation to, a county court (of any description).
(3) For the purpose of subsection (1) “the business of magistrates’ courts” includes—
(a)all such proceedings and matters whatsoever (whether civil or criminal) as under any statutory provision are to be heard by a magistrates’ court (of any description);
(b)all such other things as under any statutory provision are to be done by, or in relation to a magistrates’ court (of any description).
(4) The Department may give directions as to—
(a)the distribution among chief clerks of the functions exercisable under any statutory provision by a chief clerk;
(b)the distribution among clerks of petty sessions of the functions exercisable under any statutory provision by a clerk of petty sessions.
(5) In any statutory provision—
(a)a reference, in connection with any proceedings or matter, to the chief clerk is a reference to the chief clerk who, in accordance with directions under subsection (4), is to act in relation to those proceedings or that matter;
(b)a reference, in connection with any proceedings or matter, to the clerk of petty sessions is a reference to the clerk of petty sessions who, in accordance with directions under subsection (4), is to act in relation to those proceedings or that matter.
4.—(1) The Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission must appoint persons to be lay magistrates.
(2) A lay magistrate shall—
(a)be appointed for an administrative court division which is specified under section 2 for all or the residual purposes of a magistrates’ court; but
(b)have as regards the whole of Northern Ireland the jurisdiction and duties which immediately before commencement were vested in or imposed on a lay magistrate as regards a county court division.
(3) Accordingly, so much of any existing statutory provision as requires or authorises anything to be done by, or in relation to, a lay magistrate acting for a particular county court division shall be disregarded; and that thing may be done by, or in relation to, any lay magistrate.
(4) A lay magistrate shall sit in courts in accordance with directions given by the Lord Chief Justice; and in giving such directions the Lord Chief Justice is to have regard to the desirability of a lay magistrate sitting in courts held in reasonable proximity to where the lay magistrate lives or works.
(5) A person may not be appointed to be a lay magistrate unless that person—
(a)has completed a course of training approved by the Lord Chief Justice after consultation with the Department, or
(b)has given an undertaking in writing to attend such a course of training.
(6) It is a condition of the appointment of a person under subsection (5)(b) that the person will complete such a course of training within the period of one year beginning with the date of appointment or such longer period as the Lord Chief Justice may, after consulting the Department, allow.
(7) The Department may, after consultation with the Lord Chief Justice, by order make further provision about eligibility for appointment as a lay magistrate.
(8) The provision which may be made by an order under subsection (7) includes (in particular) provision that a person (“P”) may not be appointed to be a lay magistrate—
(a)if P, or a person related to or otherwise connected with P in a prescribed manner—
(i)holds an office of a prescribed description,
(ii)has an occupation of a prescribed description, or
(iii)has been selected as a candidate for election to a prescribed body,
(b)if P is, under the law of any part of the United Kingdom—
(i)an undischarged bankrupt or a person whose estate has been sequestered under an order which has not been discharged,
(ii)subject to a bankruptcy restrictions order or an interim bankruptcy restrictions order, or
(iii)subject to a moratorium period under a debt relief order or subject to a debt relief restrictions order or an interim debt relief restrictions order,
(c)if P has been convicted of a prescribed offence, or
(d)if P does not live or work in, or within a prescribed distance of, the administrative court division for which P is to be appointed,
unless the Department, after consultation with the Lord Chief Justice, otherwise determines in P’s particular case.
(9) In subsection (8) “prescribed” means prescribed in an order under subsection (7).
(10) An act by a person appointed to be a lay magistrate is not invalidated by reason only that that person is not a lay magistrate because that person was not eligible to be appointed.
(11) A lay magistrate ceases to hold office on attaining the age of 70.
(12) An act by a person who has been a lay magistrate is not invalidated by reason only that that person has ceased to hold office under subsection (11).
(13) The Department must pay to lay magistrates any such allowances as it may determine.
(14) The Lord Chief Justice, Lords Justices of Appeal, judges of the High Court and county court judges may exercise any function of a lay magistrate.
5.—(1) There shall be a commission of the peace for Northern Ireland—
(a)issued under the Great Seal of Northern Ireland; and
(b)addressed generally, and not by name, to all such persons as may from time to time hold office as justices of the peace for Northern Ireland.
(2) Justices of the peace for Northern Ireland—
(a)shall be appointed by the Department by instrument on behalf and in the name of Her Majesty, and
(b)may be removed from office in the same manner.
(3) A justice of the peace shall have as regards the whole of Northern Ireland the jurisdiction and duties which immediately before commencement were vested in or imposed on a justice of the peace as regards a county court division.
(4) Accordingly, so much of any existing statutory provision as requires or authorises anything to be done by, or in relation to, a justice of the peace acting for a particular county court division shall be disregarded; and that thing may be done by, or in relation to, any justice of the peace.
(5) The Department shall make arrangements—
(a)for keeping a copy of any instrument appointing or removing a justice of the peace; and
(b)for keeping, and from time to time rectifying, a record of all persons for the time being holding office as justice of the peace.
6.—(1) Schedule 1 (which contains amendments consequential on the preceding provisions of this Part) has effect.
(2) The Department may by order make such supplementary, incidental or consequential provision as it considers appropriate in consequence of, or for giving full effect to, this Part.
(3) An order under subsection (2) may amend, repeal, revoke or otherwise modify any statutory provision.
PART 2COMMITTAL FOR TRIAL
CHAPTER 2DIRECT COMMITTAL FOR TRIAL IN CERTAIN CASES
Direct committal for trial: guilty pleas
Direct committal: indication of intention to plead guilty
(a)this Chapter applies in relation to an accused charged with an offence,
(b)the court has not begun to conduct committal proceedings in relation to the offence, and
(c)the accused indicates to the court an intention to plead guilty to the offence,
(a)the following provisions of this section;
(b)section 13; or
(c)Article 29(2)(a) of the Legal Aid, Advice and Assistance (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 or any regulations under Article 26(3) of the Access to Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2003.
(3) A court committing an accused for trial for an offence under this section may order—
(a)the making of such inquiries, and
(b)the preparation, and sending to the Crown Court sitting at the specified place of trial, of such reports,
as appear to the court to be appropriate in connection with the sentencing of the accused for that offence (should the accused plead guilty to that offence on arraignment in the Crown Court).
(a)an accused is committed for trial for an offence under this section, and
(b)on arraignment the accused does not plead guilty to the offence,
the Crown Court shall make an order annulling the committal for trial of the accused for that offence.
(5) Where the Crown Court makes an order under subsection (4)—
(a)any count in the indictment relating to the charge for that offence against the accused is quashed;
(b)subject to subsection (6), the magistrates’ court shall again have the functions in relation to the accused and the offence which it would have had if the accused had not been committed for trial under this section (and the proceedings against the accused shall, as far as practicable, resume from the point immediately before the accused was committed for trial);
(c)the Crown Court shall remand the accused, in custody or on bail, to appear before the magistrates’ court as soon as is practicable;
(d)the annulment of the committal for trial does not affect the lawfulness of anything done on foot of that committal (such as the remanding of the accused in custody or on bail).
(6) Subsection (1) does not apply where a magistrates’ court resumes proceedings against an accused under subsection (5).
Direct committal for trial: specified offences
Direct committal: specified offences
Direct committal for trial: offences related to specified offences
Direct committal: offences related to specified offences
(a)this Chapter applies in relation to an accused (“A”) who—
(i)is charged with an offence (“offence A”) which is not a specified offence, and
(ii)is not also charged with a specified offence,
(b)A appears or is brought before the court on the same occasion as another person (“B”) charged with a specified offence,
(c)the court commits B for trial for the specified offence under section 11, and
(d)offence A appears to the court to be related to the specified offence for which the court commits B for trial,
the court shall forthwith commit A to the Crown Court for trial for offence A.
(b)on a previous occasion another person (“B”) has appeared or been brought before the court charged with a specified offence,
(c)the court has on that occasion committed B for trial for the specified offence under section 11, and
(d)offence A appears to the court to be related to the specified offence for which the court committed B for trial,
the court may forthwith commit A to the Crown Court for trial for offence A if the court considers that it is necessary or appropriate in the interests of justice to do so.
(3) Where the court commits the accused for trial for an offence under this section—
(a)it shall accordingly not conduct committal proceedings in relation to that offence; and
(b)the functions of the court then cease in relation to that offence, except as provided by—
(i)section 13; or
(ii)Article 29(2)(a) of the Legal Aid, Advice and Assistance (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 or any regulations under Article 26(3) of the Access to Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2003.
(4) For the purposes of this section an offence is related to a specified offence if a count charging the offence could be included in the same indictment as a count charging the specified offence.
Direct committal: procedures
13.—(1) The court committing a person for trial to the Crown Court under this Chapter shall specify in a notice (“the notice of committal”)—
(a)the charge or charges on which the person is committed for trial;
(b)the place (determined under section 48(1) of the Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978) at which that person is to be tried;
(c)such other matters as magistrates’ court rules under subsection (2)(b) may require.
(2) Magistrates’ court rules—
(a)shall provide that, where a person is committed for trial under this Chapter on any charge or charges—
(i)a copy of the notice of committal is given to that person and to the Crown Court sitting at the specified place of trial; and
(ii)copies of the documents containing the evidence on which the charge or charges are based are given to that person and to that court, either at the same time as the copy of the notice of committal or as soon as practicable thereafter; and
(b)may make such further provision in relation to notices of committal, including provision as to the matters to be included in such notices and the duties of a court in relation to such notices.
(3) Paragraphs (3) and (4) of Article 37 of the Magistrates’ Court (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 and Articles 51(3) and 134 of that Order (which relate to committal for trial on bail or in custody) apply in relation to a person committed for trial under this Chapter as they apply in relation to a person committed for trial under paragraph (1) or (2) of Article 37 of that Order (committal for trial after committal proceedings).
Specified offences: application to dismiss
14.—(1) A person who is committed for trial on any charge or charges under section 11 or 12 may, at any time—
(a)after that person is served with copies of the documents containing the evidence on which the charge or charges are based; and
(b)before that person is arraigned (and whether or not an indictment has been presented against that person),
apply orally or in writing to the Crown Court sitting at the specified place of trial for the charge, or any of the charges, in the case to be dismissed.
(2) The judge shall dismiss a charge (and accordingly quash any count relating to it in any indictment presented against the applicant) if it appears to the judge that the evidence against the applicant would not be sufficient for the applicant to be properly convicted.
(3) No oral application may be made under subsection (1) unless the applicant has given the Crown Court sitting at the specified place of trial written notice of intention to make the application.
(4) Oral evidence may be given on such an application only with the leave of the judge or by order of the judge; and the judge shall give leave or make an order only if it appears to the judge, having regard to any matters stated in the application for leave, that the interests of justice require it.
(5) If the judge gives leave permitting, or makes an order requiring, a person to give oral evidence, but that person does not do so, the judge may disregard any document indicating the evidence that that person might have given.
(6) Dismissal of the charge, or all the charges, against the applicant has the same effect as a refusal by a magistrates’ court to commit for trial; except that no further proceedings may be brought on a dismissed charge except by means of the presentment of an indictment such as is specified in paragraph (c), (d) or (e) of section 2(2) of the Grand Jury (Abolition) Act (Northern Ireland) 1969.
(7) Crown Court rules may make provision for the purposes of this section and may in particular make provision—
Restrictions on reporting applications for dismissal
15.—(1) Except as provided by this section—
(a)no written report of an application under section 14(1) shall be published in Northern Ireland;
(b)no report of such an application shall be included in a relevant programme for reception in Northern Ireland.
(2) The judge dealing with an application under section 14(1) may order that subsection (1) shall not apply, or shall not apply to a specified extent, to a report of the application.
(3) Where an accused objects to the making of an order under subsection (2), the judge shall make the order if (and only if) satisfied after hearing the representations of the accused that it is in the interests of justice to do so; and if the order is made it shall not apply to the extent that a report deals with any such objection or representations.
(4) Subsection (1) does not apply where the application is successful.
(a)two or more persons are jointly charged, and
(b)applications under section 14(1) are made by more than one of them,
subsection (4) shall have effect as if for the words “the application is” there were substituted “all the applications are”.
(6) Subsection (1) does not apply to—
(a)the publication of a report of an unsuccessful application made under section 14(1),
(b)the inclusion in a relevant programme of a report of an unsuccessful application made under section 14(1),
(7) Subsection (1) does not apply to a report which contains only one or more of the following matters—
(g)whether legal aid was granted to the accused or any of the accused.
(8) The addresses that may be published or included in a relevant programme under subsection (7) are addresses—
(9) Nothing in this section affects any prohibition or restriction imposed by virtue of any other statutory provision on a publication or on matter included in a programme.
(10) If a report is published or included in a relevant programme in contravention of this section each of the following persons is guilty of an offence—
(11) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction to a fine of an amount not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.
(12) Proceedings for an offence under this section shall not be instituted otherwise than by or with the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland.
(b)“relevant programme” means a programme included in a programme service, within the meaning of the Broadcasting Act 1990.
PART 4VICTIMS AND WITNESSES
The Victim Charter
28.—(1) The Department must issue a Victim Charter.
(2) The Charter must set out—
(a)the services which are to be provided to victims by specified criminal justice agencies and the standards which are to be expected in relation to those services;
(b)the standards which are to be expected in relation to the treatment of victims by such agencies.
(3) In particular the Charter must include provision for a victim—
(a)to be treated with courtesy, dignity and respect;
(b)to be informed about the services available to victims;
(c)to be informed about—
(i)the progress of relevant proceedings, and the reasons for any delay in those proceedings, at such intervals or at such times as are specified;
(ii)the final outcome of relevant proceedings, within such time as is specified;
(d)where in the course of relevant proceedings a decision is taken not to prosecute a person in respect of the criminal conduct concerned, to be given the reasons for that decision within such time as is specified;
(e)to be informed about any special measures which may be available to the victim under Article 4 or 5 of the Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 if called as a witness in criminal proceedings arising out of the criminal conduct concerned;
(f)to be informed about the opportunity to make a victim statement under section 33;
(g)to have considered by an independent body any complaint against a criminal justice agency in relation to any provision of the Charter which has not been resolved by that agency.
(4) The Charter may restrict the application of any of its provisions and, in particular, may restrict the application of any of its provisions to—
(c)specified criminal justice agencies;
(d)cases where the criminal conduct concerned has been reported to the police.
(5) The Charter may provide for exceptions to its provisions, including in particular exceptions for the purpose of—
(a)ensuring compliance with any statutory provision or order of a court;
(b)avoiding jeopardising any criminal investigation or criminal proceedings;
(c)avoiding endangering any individual.
(6) The Charter may include provision requiring or permitting the services which are to be provided to a victim to be provided to one or more other persons as well as the victim.
(7) The Charter may not require anything to be done by—
(b)a person acting in the discharge of a function of a member of the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland which involves the exercise of a discretion.
(8) In this section “criminal justice agency” means a body or person which has any functions relating to—
(a)victims; or
(b)any other aspect of the criminal justice system.
(9) A criminal justice agency must, in carrying out any functions mentioned in subsection (8), have regard to the Charter.
“criminal conduct concerned”, in relation to a victim, is to be construed in accordance with section 29(1);
“relevant proceedings”, in relation to a victim, means the investigation into the criminal conduct concerned, the taking of a decision whether to prosecute any person in respect of that criminal conduct and any criminal proceedings taken against any person in respect of that criminal conduct;
“specified” means specified in the Victim Charter.
30.—(1) The Department must issue a Witness Charter.
(a)the services which are to be provided to witnesses in criminal investigations and criminal proceedings by specified criminal justice agencies and the standards which are to be expected in relation to those services;
(b)the standards which are to be expected in relation to the treatment of witnesses by such agencies.
(3) The Charter may restrict the application of any of its provisions and, in particular, may restrict the application of any of its provisions to—
(a)specified descriptions of witnesses;
(b)witnesses in criminal investigations of, or criminal proceedings for, specified offences or descriptions of conduct;
(c)specified criminal justice agencies.
(4) The Charter may provide for exceptions to its provisions, including in particular exceptions for the purpose of—
(5) The Charter may include provision requiring or permitting the services which are to be provided to a witness to be provided to one or more other persons instead of or in addition to the witness.
(6) The Charter may not require anything to be done by—
(7) In this section “criminal justice agency” means a body or person which has any functions relating to—
(a)witnesses in criminal investigations or criminal proceedings; or
(8) A criminal justice agency must, in carrying out any functions mentioned in subsection (7), have regard to the Charter.
“defendant”, in relation to any criminal proceedings, means a person who has been charged with, or convicted of, a criminal offence in the proceedings;
“specified” means specified in the Witness Charter;
“witness” means a person (other than the defendant) who—
has witnessed criminal or other conduct in relation to which that person may be or has been called to give evidence in criminal proceedings;
is able to provide or has provided information or any other thing which might assist a criminal investigation or which might be or has been used in evidence in criminal proceedings; or
for any other reason is called or might be called to give evidence in criminal proceedings.
Procedure for issuing Charters
31.—(1) This section applies in relation to a Charter required to be issued under section 28 or 30.
32.—(1) If a criminal justice agency fails to comply with the Charter issued under section 28 or 30, the failure does not of itself make the agency liable to criminal or civil proceedings.
(2) But the Charter is admissible in evidence in criminal or civil proceedings and a court may take into account a failure to comply with the Charter in determining a question in the proceedings.
Persons to be afforded opportunity to make victim statement
33.—(1) A natural person against whom an offence has been committed or is alleged to have been committed (“the victim”) is to be afforded an opportunity to make a statement under this section.
(c)if made by a person under subsection (1), (2)(b) or (5), is a statement as to the way in which, and degree to which, the offence or alleged offence has affected and continues to affect, the person making the statement and members of the victim’s family;
(d)if made by a person under subsection (2)(a), (3) or (4), is a statement as to the way in which, and degree to which, the offence or alleged offence has affected and continues to affect, the victim. and members of the victim’s family.
(9) Regulations may provide that, except in prescribed cases or circumstances, paragraphs (c) and (d) of subsection (8) are to have effect with the omission of the words “and members of the victim’s family”.
34.—(1) The Department may by regulations make provision for a person who has made a victim statement in relation to an offence to be afforded on request an opportunity to make a statement supplementary to, or in amplification of, the victim statement.
35.—(1) The Department may by regulations make provision in relation to the provision of a copy of any victim statement made in respect of an offence to the defence and the court.
Disclosure for purposes of victim and witness support services and victim information schemes
36. Schedule3 (which makes provision for the disclosure of information for the purposes of victim and witness support services and victim information schemes) has effect.
PART 5CRIMINAL RECORDS
Restriction on information provided to certain persons
37.—(1) The following provisions are repealed—
(a)section 101 of the Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 (which, if commenced, would insert section 112(2A) into the Police Act 1997 requiring copies of certain criminal conviction certificates to be given to employers etc.);
(b)section 113A(4) of the Police Act 1997 (requirement to send copy of criminal record certificate to registered person); and
(c)section 113B(5) and (6) of that Act (requirement to give relevant information, and copy of enhanced criminal record certificate to registered person).
(2) After section 120AB of the Police Act 1997 (procedure for certain cancellations or suspensions of registration) insert—
“120AC. Registered persons: information on progress of an application
(1) The Department must, in response to a request from a person who is acting as the registered person in relation to an application under section 113A or 113B, inform that person whether or not a certificate has been issued in response to the application.
(3) In the case of a certificate under section 113A, if it was a certificate stating that there is no relevant matter recorded in central records, the Department may inform the person who made the request that the certificate was such a certificate.
(a)stating that there is no relevant matter recorded in central records and no information provided in accordance with subsection (4) of that section, and
(b)if section 113BA(1) or 113BB(1) applies to the certificate, containing no suitability information indicating that the person to whom the certificate is issued—
(i)is barred from regulated activity relating to children or to vulnerable adults, or
(ii)is included in a list kept under Article 70(2)(e)(iii) or 88A(2)(b)(iii) of the Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 1986,
the Department may inform the person who made the request that the certificate was such a certificate.
(5) If no certificate has been issued, the Department must inform the person who made the request of such other matters relating to the processing of the application as the Department considers appropriate.
(6) Subject to subsections (2) to (4), nothing in this section permits the Department to inform a person who is acting as the registered person in relation to an application under section 113A or 113B of the content of any certificate issued in response to the application.
(7) The Department may refuse a request under subsection (1) if it is made after the end of a prescribed period beginning with the day on which the certificate was issued.
“central records” and “relevant matter” have the same meaning as in section 113A;
(9) Expressions in subsection (4)(b) and in the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 have the same meaning in that paragraph as in that Order.
120AD. Registered persons: copies of certificates in certain circumstances
(a)the Department gives up-date information in relation to a criminal record certificate or enhanced criminal record certificate,
(b)the up-date information is advice to apply for a new certificate or (as the case may be) request another person to apply for such a certificate, and
(c)the person whose certificate it is in respect of which the up-date information is given applies for a new criminal record certificate or (as the case may be) enhanced criminal record certificate.
(2) The Department must, in response to a request made within the prescribed period by the person who is acting as the registered person in relation to the application, send to that person a copy of any certificate issued in response to the application if the registered person—
(a)has counter-signed the application or transmitted it to the Department under section 113(2A) or 113B(2A),
(b)has informed the Department that the applicant for the new certificate has not, within such period as may be prescribed, sent a copy of it to a person of such description as may be prescribed, and
(c)no prescribed circumstances apply.
(4) In this section “up-date information” has the same meaning as in section 116A.”.
Minimum age for applicants for certificates or to be registered
38.—(1) In sections 113A(1), 113B(1), 114(1) and 116(1) of the Police Act 1997 (applications for certificates), before the word “and” at the end of paragraph (a), insert—
“(aa)except in prescribed circumstances, is aged 16 or over at the time of making the application,”.
(2) After section 120(4) of that Act (registered persons) insert—
“(4A) An individual under the age of 18 applying for registration undersubsection (4)(b) or (c) must satisfy the Department that there is good reason for being registered.”.
Additional grounds for refusing an application to be registered
39. After subsection (3) of section 120AA of the Police Act 1997 (refusal, etc. of registration on grounds not related to disclosure) insert—
(a)has previously been a registered person; and
(b)has been removed from the register (otherwise than at that individual’s own request).
(b)has been removed from the register (otherwise than at its own request).
(6) The Department may refuse the application.”.
Review of criminal record certificates
41.—(1) The Police Act 1997 is amended as follows.
(2) After section 117A (inserted by section 40(5)) insert—
“117B. Review of criminal record certificates
Schedule 8A (which provides for an independent review of certain criminal record certificates) has effec”.
(3) After Schedule 8 insert as Schedule 8A the Schedule set out in Schedule 4 to this Act.
Up-dating certificates
42. After section 116 of the Police Act 1997 (enhanced criminal record certificates: judicial appointments and Crown employment) insert—
“116A. Up-dating certificates
Applications for enhanced criminal record certificates
43. In section 113B of the Police Act 1997 (enhanced criminal record certificates) in subsection (2) for paragraph (b) substitute—
“(b)be accompanied by—
(i)a statement by the registered person that the certificate is required for the purposes of an exempted question asked for a prescribed purpose; or
(ii)a statement by the applicant that the certificate is required for a prescribed purpose.”.
Electronic transmission of applications
44.—(1) In section 113A of the Police Act 1997 (criminal record certificates) after subsection (2) insert—
(a)the application is transmitted to the Department electronically by a registered person who satisfies conditions determined by the Department, and
(b)it is transmitted in accordance with requirements determined by the Department.”.
(2) In section 113B of that Act (enhanced criminal record certificates) after subsection (2) insert—
Inclusion of cautions and other diversionary disposals in criminal records
46. In Article 29 of the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 for paragraph (4) substitute—
“(4) The Department of Justice may by regulations make provision for recording—
(a)convictions for such offences as are specified in the regulations (“recordable offences”);
(b)cautions given in respect of recordable offences;
(c)informed warnings given in respect of recordable offences;
(d)diversionary youth conferences in respect of recordable offences.
(a)“caution” means a caution given to a person in respect of an offence which, at the time when the caution is given, the person has admitted;
(b)“diversionary youth conference” has the meaning given by Part 3A of the Criminal Justice (Children) (Northern Ireland) Order 1998.”.
47. Schedule5 (which contains amendments consequential on the preceding provisions of this Part) has effect.
PART 6CHILD PROTECTION DISCLOSURES
48.—(1) The Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 is amended as follows.
(2) In Article 49(1) (interpretation of Part 3)—
(a)after the definition of “agencies” insert—
““child” means a person under the age of 18;
a conviction by or before a court outside Northern Ireland;
any finding (other than a finding linked with a finding of insanity) in any criminal proceedings that a person has committed an offence or done the act or made the omission charged;
a caution given to a person in respect of an offence which, at the time when the caution was given, the person has admitted;”;
(b)after the definition of “specified” insert—
““relevant previous conviction”, in relation to a person, means a conviction for a sexual or violent offence by reason of which the person falls within a specified description of persons;”.
(3) In Article 50 (guidance to agencies on assessing and managing certain risks to the public) after paragraph (2) insert—
“(2A) Guidance under this Article must contain provisions about arrangements for considering the disclosure, to any particular member of the public, of information concerning any relevant previous convictions of a person where it is necessary to protect a particular child or particular children from serious harm caused by that person; and the guidance may, in particular, contain provisions for the purpose of preventing a member of the public from disclosing that information to any other person.”.
(4) In Article 50(3) for “Paragraph (2) does” substitute “Paragraphs (2) and (2A) do”.
PART 7LIVE LINKS IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS
Live links: accused at committal proceedings
49.—(1) This section applies in relation to committal proceedings in a magistrates’ court.
(2) Where it appears to the court before which the committal proceedings are to take place that the accused (“A”) is likely to be held in custody or detained in hospital during the proceedings, the court may give a live link direction under this section in relation to the attendance of A at the committal proceedings.
(3) A live link direction under this section is a direction requiring A, if A is being held in custody or detained in a hospital during the committal proceedings, to attend those proceedings through a live link from the place at which A is being held or detained.
(4) A is to be treated as present in court when, by virtue of a live link direction under this section, A attends committal proceedings through a live link.
(a)A has given consent to the direction; and
(6) The court may not give a live link direction under this section unless—
(a)it has been notified by the Department that a live link is available between the court and the institution in which the accused is, or is to be, held or detained; and
(7) The court may rescind a live link direction under this section at any time before or during the committal proceedings to which it relates if it appears to the court to be in the interests of justice to do so (but this does not affect the court’s power to give a further live link direction under this section in relation to A).
(8) The court shall not give or rescind a live link direction under this section (whether at a hearing or otherwise) unless A and the prosecutor have been given the opportunity to make representations.
(9) If a hearing takes place in relation to the giving or rescinding of a live link direction under this section, the court may require or permit a person attending the hearing to do so through a live link.
(10) The court must—
(a)state in open court its reasons for refusing to make or rescinding a live link direction under this section; and
(11) If where A is attending committal proceedings through a live link it appears to the court—
(a)that A is not able to see and hear the court and to be seen and heard by it, and
(b)that this cannot be immediately corrected, the court must adjourn the proceedings.
(12) A may not give oral evidence while attending committal proceedings through a live link by virtue of this section unless—
(a)A consents to give evidence in that way; and
(b)the court is satisfied that it is not contrary to the interests of justice for A to give evidence in that way.
(a)references to A being held in custody are references to A’s being held in custody in a prison, young offenders centre, juvenile justice centre or other institution;
(b)references to A being detained in hospital are references to A’s being detained in a hospital under Part 2 or 3 of the Mental Health (Northern Ireland) Order 1986;
Live links from another courtroom: first remands, etc.
50.—(1) This section applies in relation to hearings which are—
(a)held in a magistrates’ court in relation to a person (“A”)—
(i)where A is in custody, is charged with an offence and is appearing before the court for the first time in connection with that charge;
(ii)where A has been arrested in pursuance of a warrant issued under Article 20 of the Magistrates’ Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 and is brought before the court for the first time after A’s arrest;
(iii)where A has been arrested under Article 6 of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2003, or in pursuance of a warrant issued under that Article, and is brought before the court for the first time after A’s arrest; or
(iv)where A has been arrested in pursuance of a warrant issued under Article 25 of the Magistrates’ Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 or section 51(3) of the Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978 and is brought before the court for the first time after A’s arrest; and
(b)held on—
(i)a Saturday;
(ii)a Sunday, or
(iii)a public holiday.
(2) Where it appears to the court before which the hearing is to take place that A is likely to be present in another courtroom during the hearing, the court may give a live link direction under this section in relation to the attendance of A at the hearing.
(3) A live link direction under this section is a direction requiring A, if A is present in another courtroom during the hearing, to attend the hearing through a live link from that courtroom.
(4) A is to be treated as present in court when, by virtue of a live link direction under this section, A attends a hearing through a live link.
(5) A court may not give a live link direction under this section unless the court is satisfied that it is not contrary to the interests of justice to give the direction.
(6) A court may not give a live link direction under this section unless—
(a)it has been notified by the Department that a live link is available between the court and the courtroom in which the accused is to be present; and
(7) The court may rescind a live link direction under this section at any time before or during the hearing to which it relates.
(8) If a hearing takes place in relation to the giving or rescinding of a live link direction, the court may require or permit a person attending the hearing to do so through a live link.
(9) If where A is attending a hearing through a live link it appears to the court—
the court must adjourn the hearing.
(10) In this section “live link” means an arrangement by which a person (when not in the place where the hearing is being held) is able to see and hear, and to be seen and heard by, the court during the hearing (and for this purpose any impairment of eyesight or hearing is to be disregarded).
(11) The Department may by order—
(a)amend subsection (1) by adding any description of hearing to the list in paragraph (a) of that subsection;
(b)amend subsection (1) by adding any day of the week to the list in paragraph (b) of that subsection or removing any day for the time being in that list;
(c)repeal subsection (1)(b) (and the word “and” immediately before it).
(12) Nothing in this section affects the operation of the Sunday Observance Act (Ireland) 1695 or section 13 of the Criminal Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2013.
Live links: expert witnesses
52.—(1) Part 3 of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2004 (live links for witnesses in certain criminal proceedings) is amended as follows.
(2) In Article 10 (witness other than defendant may give evidence through live link if court so directs) after “other than the defendant” insert “or an expert witness to whom Article 11A applies”.
(3) After Article 11 insert—
“Expert witnesses
11A.—(1) An expert witness to whom this Article applies shall, unless the court otherwise directs, give evidence through a live link in the criminal proceedings mentioned in Article 10(2).
(2) The court shall not give a direction under paragraph (1) unless the court is satisfied that it is in the interests of justice, and of the efficient administration of justice, for the person concerned to give evidence in the proceedings in person.
(3) The court may rescind a direction under paragraph (1) if it appears to the court that the condition in paragraph (2) is no longer satisfied.
(4) Where it does so, the person concerned shall give evidence through a live link, but this does not prevent the court from giving a further direction under paragraph (1) in relation to that person.
(5) The court shall not give or rescind a direction under paragraph (1) unless the parties to the proceedings have been given the opportunity to make representations.
(6) This Article applies to expert witnesses of such class or description as the Department may prescribe in regulations.
(7) Regulations shall not be made under paragraph (6) unless a draft of the regulations has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, the Assembly.”.
(4) In Article 12(1) (magistrates’ court permitted to sit at other locations) for sub-paragraph (a) substitute—
“(a)evidence is to be given through a live link under this Part in proceedings before a magistrates’ court; and”.
(5) In Article 13 (warning to jury in Crown Court) for paragraph (1) substitute—
“(1) This Article applies where evidence has been given through a live link under this Part in proceedings before the Crown Court.”.
(6) In Article 14 (rules of court) after paragraph (2)(a) insert—
“(aa)as to the procedure to be followed in connection with the making of representations under Article 11A; and”.
Live links: witnesses outside the United Kingdom
53.—(1) Part 3 of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2004 (live links for witnesses in certain criminal proceedings) is amended in accordance with subsections (2) and (3).
(2) After Article 11A (inserted by section 52) insert—
“Witnesses outside the United Kingdom
11B.—(1) This Part applies whether the witness is in the United Kingdom or elsewhere.
(2) A statement made on oath by a person outside the United Kingdom and given in evidence through a link under this Part shall be treated for the purposes of Article 3 of the Perjury (Northern Ireland) Order 1979 as having been made in the proceedings in which it is given in evidence.”.
(3) In Article 15 (interpretation)—
(a)in paragraph (2) for “at a place in the United Kingdom which is outside the building” substitute “absent from the place”;
“(4A) Where two or more legal representatives are acting for a party to the proceedings, paragraph (3)(c) is to be regarded as satisfied in relation to those representatives if the witness is able at all material times to see and be seen by at least one of them.”.
(4) In section 29(3) of the Crime (International Co-operation) Act 2003 (hearing witnesses abroad through live television links) for “Article 80A(4) of the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989” substitute “Article 10(2) of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2004” and after “to apply” insert “in relation to witnesses who are outside the United Kingdom”.
Live links: patients detained in hospital under Mental Health Order
54.—(1) In each of the following provisions (which enable a live link direction to be given in relation to a person expected to be in custody) after “in custody” insert “or detained in hospital”—
(a)Articles 79(4)(a), 80(2), (3) and (8) and 81(2) and (3) of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 (live link for accused in preliminary hearings and sentencing hearings);
(b)sections 16(2), (3), (8) and (10)(a) and 17(2), (3) and (10)(a) of the Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 (live link for appellant in preliminary hearing or sentencing hearing on appeal to the county court).
(2) In each of the following at the end add “or detained”—
(a)Articles 80(3) and 81(3) of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008;
(b)sections 16(3) and 17(3) of the Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2011.
(3) In Article 79(3) of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 after sub-paragraph (a) insert—
“(aa)references to a person being detained in hospital are references to the person’s being detained in a hospital under Part 2 or 3 of the Mental Health (Northern Ireland) Order 1986;”.
(4) In section 16(11) of the Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 after sub-paragraph (a) insert—
(5) In section 17(11) of the Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 after sub-paragraph (a) insert—
PART 8VIOLENT OFFENCES PREVENTION ORDERS
55.—(1) A violent offences prevention order is an order made under section 56 or 57 in respect of a person (“D”) which—
(a)contains such prohibitions or requirements authorised by section 59 as the court making the order considers necessary for the purpose of protecting the public from the risk of serious violent harm caused by D, and
(b)has effect for such period of not less than 2, nor more than 5, years as is specified in the order (unless renewed or discharged under section 60).
(2) For the purposes of this Part any reference to protecting the public from the risk of serious violent harm caused by a person is a reference to protecting—
(a)the public, or
(b)any particular members of the public,
(3) In this Part “specified offence” means an offence for the time being listed in Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 (violent offences).
(4) But the offence mentioned in paragraph 7 of that Part (assault occasioning actual bodily harm) is not a specified offence for the purposes of sections 56(2) or (3) or 58(2) or (3) unless—
(a)it was committed against—
(i)a vulnerable adult (within the meaning of Article 2(2) of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007);
(ii)a person under the age of 18; or
(iii)a person living in the same household as the offender; or
(b)the court in sentencing the offender for the offence treated the offence as aggravated by hostility (within the meaning of Article 2 of the Criminal Justice (No. 2) (Northern Ireland) Order 2004).
Violent offences prevention order made on application of Chief Constable
57.—(1) A court of summary jurisdiction may make a violent offences prevention order in respect of D where subsection (2) applies to D and the court is satisfied that D’s behaviour since the appropriate date makes it necessary to make such an order for the purpose of protecting the public from the risk of serious violent harm caused by D.
(2) This subsection applies to D where—
(a)an application under subsection (3) has been made to the court in respect of D, and
(b)on the application, it is proved that D is a qualifying offender.
(3) The Chief Constable may by complaint apply for a violent offences prevention order to be made in respect of a person who resides in Northern Ireland or who the Chief Constable believes is in, or is intending to come to, Northern Ireland if it appears to the Chief Constable that—
(a)the person is a qualifying offender, and
(b)the person has, since the appropriate date, acted in such a way as to give reasonable cause to believe that it is necessary for a violent offences prevention order to be made in respect of the person.
(4) In this section “the appropriate date” means the date (or, as the case may be, the first date) on which the person became a person within any of paragraphs (a) to (c) of section 58(2) or (3).
(5) On an application under subsection (3) in respect of D the court must—
(a)afford D an opportunity of making representations; and
(b)in deciding whether it is necessary to make a violent offences prevention order for the purpose of protecting the public from the risk of serious violent harm caused by D, have regard to whether D would, at any time when such an order would be in force, be subject under any other statutory provision to any measures that would operate to protect the public from the risk of such harm.
58.—(1) In this Part “qualifying offender” means a person who is within subsection (2) or (3).
(2) A person is within this subsection if (whether before or after commencement)—
(a)the person has been convicted of a specified offence;
(b)the person has been found not guilty of a specified offence by reason of insanity, or
(c)the person has been found to be unfit to be tried and to have done the act charged in respect of a specified offence.
(3) A person is within this subsection if, under the law in force in a country outside Northern Ireland (and whether before or after commencement)—
(a)the person has been convicted of a relevant offence,
(b)a court exercising jurisdiction under that law has made in respect of a relevant offence a finding equivalent to a finding that the person was not guilty by reason of insanity, or
(c)such a court has, in respect of a relevant offence, made a finding equivalent to a finding that the person was unfit to be tried and did the act charged in respect of the offence.
(4) In subsection (3) “relevant offence” means an act which—
(b)would have constituted a specified offence if it had been done in Northern Ireland.
(5) An act punishable under the law in force in a country outside Northern Ireland constitutes an offence under that law for the purposes of subsection (4) however it is described in that law.
(6) Subject to subsection (7), on an application under section 57, the condition in subsection (4)(b) (where relevant) is to be taken as met in relation to the person to whom the application relates unless, not later than magistrates’ court rules may provide, that person serves on the Chief Constable a notice—
(a)denying that, on the facts as alleged with respect to the act in question, the condition is met,
(b)giving the reasons for denying that it is met, and
(c)requiring the Chief Constable to prove that it is met.
(7) If the court thinks fit, it may permit that person to require the Chief Constable to prove that the condition is met even though no notice has been served under subsection (6).
Provisions that violent offences prevention orders may contain
59.—(1) A violent offences prevention order may contain provisions prohibiting D from doing anything described in the order or requiring D to do anything described in the order (or both).
(2) The only prohibitions or requirements that may be included in the order are those necessary for the purpose of protecting the public from the risk of serious violent harm caused by D.
Variation, renewal or discharge of violent offences prevention orders
60.—(1) D or the Chief Constable may apply to the appropriate court—
(a)for an order varying or discharging a violent offences prevention order;
(b)for an order renewing a violent offences prevention order for such period of not more than 5 years as is specified in the renewal order.
(2) Subject to subsections (3) to (5), on an application under this section the court may, after hearing—
(b)the other person mentioned in subsection (1), if that person wishes to be heard,
make such order varying, renewing or discharging the violent offences prevention order as the court considers appropriate.
(3) A violent offences prevention order may only be—
(b)varied so as to impose additional prohibitions or requirements on D,
if the court considers that it is necessary to do so for the purpose of protecting the public from the risk of serious violent harm caused by D (and any renewed or varied order may contain only such prohibitions or requirements as the court considers necessary for this purpose).
(4) References in subsection (3) to prohibitions or requirements are to prohibitions or requirements authorised by section 59.
(5) The court may not discharge a violent offences prevention order before the end of the period of 2 years beginning with the date on which it comes into force unless consent to its discharge is given by D and the Chief Constable.
(6) In this section “the appropriate court” means—
(a)where the violent offences prevention order was made under section 56 by (or on appeal from) the Crown Court, that court; and
(7) An application under this section may be made—
(b)in any other case by complaint under Part 7 of the Magistrates’ Court (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 and in accordance with magistrates’ court rules.
Interim violent offences prevention orders
61.—(1) This section applies where an application under section 57 (“the main application”) in respect of D has not yet been determined.
(2) An application for an order under this section (“an interim violent offences prevention order”) may be made—
(b)if the main application has already been made to a court, by means of a further complaint made to that court by the Chief Constable.
(3) If it appears to the court—
(a)that D is a qualifying offender,
(b)that, if the court were determining that application, it would be likely to make a violent offences prevention order in respect of D, and
(c)that it is desirable to act before that application is determined, with a view to securing the immediate protection of the public from the risk of serious violent harm caused by D,
the court may make an interim violent offences prevention order in respect of that person that contains such prohibitions or requirements as it considers necessary for the purpose of protecting the public from the risk of such harm.
(4) The reference in subsection (3) to prohibitions or requirements is to prohibitions or requirements authorised by section 59 in the case of a violent offences prevention order.
(5) An interim violent offences prevention order—
(6) “The appropriate time” means—
(a)if the court grants the main application, the time when a violent offences prevention order made in pursuance of it comes into force;
(7) Section 60 applies in relation to the variation or discharge of an interim violent offences prevention order as it applies in relation to the variation or discharge of a violent offences prevention order, but with the omission of subsection (5).
(a)any application under section 57 for a violent offences prevention order in respect of D,
(b)any application under section 61 for an interim violent offences prevention order in respect of D, and
(c)any application under section 60 for the variation, discharge or renewal of a violent offences prevention order made in respect of D, or for the variation or discharge of an interim violent offences prevention order so made.
(2) A court may not begin hearing such an application unless it is satisfied that D has been given notice of—
(b)the time and place of the hearing,
a reasonable time before the hearing.
63.—(1) D may appeal against the making of a violent offences prevention order under section 56—
(a)where subsection (2) of that section applied to D, as if the order were a sentence passed on D for the offence;
(b)where subsection (3) (but not subsection (2)) of that section applied to D, as if D had been convicted of the offence and the order were a sentence passed on D for that offence.
(2) D may appeal to the county court against—
(a)the making of a violent offences prevention order under section 57;
(b)the making of an interim violent offences prevention order.
(3) D may appeal against the making of an order under section 60 or the refusal to make such an order—
(b)in any other case to the county court.
(4) On an appeal under subsection (2) or (3)(b), the county court—
Supply of information by relevant Northern Ireland departments or Secretary of State
73.—(1) A report compiled under section 72 may be supplied to the Chief Constable by—
(5) The Chief Constable may apply to a District Judge (Magistrates’ Court) for an order extending the period for which the information may be retained.
Information about release or transfer
74.—(1) This section applies to an offender subject to notification requirements who is—
(3) In subsection (2) “specified persons” means persons specified, or of a description specified, in the regulations.
(4) The regulations may make provision for determining who is to be taken for the purposes of this section as being responsible for an offender.
Power of entry and search of offender’s home address
75.—(1) If, on an application made by a police officer of the rank of superintendent or above, a lay magistrate is satisfied that the requirements in subsection (2) are met in relation to any premises, the lay magistrate may issue a warrant authorising a constable—
(a)that the address of each set of premises specified in the application is an address falling within subsection (3);
(c)that it is necessary for a constable to enter and search the premises for the purpose mentioned in subsection (1)(a);
(d)that, in a case where a person other than the offender resides there, it is proportionate in all the circumstances for a constable to enter and search the premises for that purpose; and
(e)that on at least two occasions a constable has sought entry to the premises in order to search them for that purpose and has been unable to obtain entry for that purpose.
(3) An address falls within this subsection if—
(a)it is the address which was last notified in accordance with this Part by the offender to the police as the offender’s home address; or
(4) This subsection applies to an offender if the offender is—
(5) A warrant issued under this section must specify the one or more sets of premises to which it relates.
(7) The warrant may authorise entry to and search of premises on more than one occasion if, on the application, the lay magistrate is satisfied that it is necessary to authorise multiple entries in order to achieve the purpose mentioned in subsection (1)(a).
(8) Where a warrant issued under this section authorises multiple entries, the number of entries authorised may be unlimited or limited to a maximum.
(9) In this section a reference to the offender subject to notification requirements to whom the warrant relates is a reference to the offender—
(a)who has in accordance with this Part notified the police that the premises specified in the warrant are the offender’s home address; or
76.—(1) In this Part—
“home address” has the meaning given by section 65(4);
“interim violent offences prevention order” means an order made under section 61;
“qualifying offender” has the meaning given by section 58(1);
“specified offence” has the meaning given by section 55(3) and (4);
“violent offences prevention order” has the meaning given by section 55(1).
(2) References in this Part to “D” in relation to a violent offences prevention order, or an application for such an order, are references to the person in relation to whom the order has effect or is sought.
(3) References in this Part to protecting the public from the risk of serious violent harm caused by a person are to be read in accordance with section 55(2).
(4) References in this Part to a finding of the kind mentioned in section 58(2)(b) or (c) or (3)(b) or (c) include references to a case where a decision on appeal is to the effect that there should have been such a finding in the proceedings concerned.
(5) References in this Part to an offender subject to notification requirements are to be read in accordance with section 64.
(6) Reference in this Part to a conviction include references to a finding of a court in summary proceedings, where the court makes an order under Article 44(4) of the Mental Health (Northern Ireland) Order 1986 that the accused did the act charged.
Removal of maximum age for jury service
77. In Article 3(1) of the Juries (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (persons qualified and liable for jury service) for “aged between 18 and 70 years” substitute “aged over 18 years”.
Preparation of jury lists
78. In Article 4(2) of the Juries (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (selection from register of electors) omit sub-paragraph (b)(i).
79. In Schedule 1 to the Juries (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (persons disqualified for jury service) after paragraph 1 insert—
“1A. Any person who has at any time been convicted of an offence and had imposed on him an indeterminate custodial sentence under Article 13 of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008”.
Persons ineligible for jury service
80.—(1) Schedule 2 to the Juries (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (persons ineligible for jury service) is amended as follows.
(2) After the entry relating to the Policing Board insert—
“Members of the National Crime Agency and National Crime Agency officers.”.
(3) Omit the following entries—
“A person appointed for the purposes of Article 7(6) of the Treatment of Offenders (Northern Ireland) Order 1976.”
“Members of the Royal Irish Regiment.”.
Persons excusable as of right from jury service
81.—(1) Schedule 3 to the Juries (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (persons excusable from jury service as of right) is amended as follows.
(2) For the entry relating to Representatives to the European Parliament substitute—
“Members of the European Parliament”.
(3) For the entry relating to the Secretary and any Director of the Northern Ireland Audit Office substitute—
“The Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland and any Assistant Auditor General for Northern Ireland”.
(4) For the entry relating to persons aged between 65 and 70 years and the heading immediately before it substitute—
“Persons aged over 70 years
Persons aged over 70 years”.
82. In Article 19 of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 after paragraph (1) insert—
“(1A) The Department may by regulations, having consulted the Probation Board, provide for a community service scheme, under which a person released under paragraph (1) may be required to engage in unpaid community service for the remaining period of the fixed term they would have served but for their early release.”.
83.—(1) In Article 61 of the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (fingerprinting)—
(a)in paragraphs (5A) and (5B) for the words after “investigation” in sub-paragraph (b) substitute
(i)paragraph (4A)(a) or (b) applies, or
(ii)paragraph (5C) applies.”;
(b)after paragraph (5B) insert—
“(5C) This paragraph applies where—
(b)before the resumption of the investigation the fingerprints were destroyed pursuant to Article 63B(2).””.
(2) In Article 63 of that Order (non-intimate samples)—
(a)at the end of paragraph (3ZA)(b) insert
(iii)paragraph (3AA) applies.”;
(b)in paragraph (3A)(b) for “insufficient; or” substitute “insufficient, or
“(iii)paragraph (3AA) applies; or”;
“(3AA) This paragraph applies where the investigation was discontinued but subsequently resumed, and before the resumption of the investigation—
(a)any DNA profile derived from the sample was destroyed pursuant to Article 63B(2), and
(b)the sample itself was destroyed pursuant to Article 63P(2), (3) or (10).”.
(3) In Schedule 2A to that Order (fingerprinting and samples: power to require attendance at police station)—
(a)in paragraph 1 (fingerprinting: persons arrested and released)—
(i)in sub-paragraph (2) for “Article 61(5A)(b)” substitute “Article 61(5A)(b)(i)”;
“(4) The power under sub-paragraph (1) may not be exercised in a case falling within Article 61(5A)(b)(ii) (fingerprints destroyed where investigation interrupted) after the end of the period of six months beginning with the day on which the investigation was resumed.”;
(b)in paragraph 2 (fingerprinting: persons charged, etc.)—
(i)in sub-paragraph (2)(b) for “Article 61(5B)(b)” substitute “Article 61(5B)(b)(i)”;
(ii)at the end of sub-paragraph (2) insert “, or
“(c)in a case falling within Article 61(5B)(b)(ii) (fingerprints destroyed where investigation interrupted), the day on which the investigation was resumed.”;
(c)in paragraph 9 (non-intimate samples: persons arrested and released)—
(i)in sub-paragraph (2) for “within Article 63(3ZA)(b)” substitute “within Article 63(3ZA)(b)(i) or (ii)”;
“(4) The power under sub-paragraph (1) may not be exercised in a case falling within Article 63(3ZA)(b)(iii) (sample, and any DNA profile, destroyed where investigation interrupted) after the end of the period of six months beginning with the day on which the investigation was resumed.”;
(d)in paragraph 10 (non-intimate samples: person charged etc.)—
(i)in sub-paragraph (3) for “within Article 63(3A)(b)” substitute “within Article 63(3A)(b)(i) or (ii)”;
“(5) The power under sub-paragraph (1) may not be exercised in a case falling within Article 63(3A)(b)(iii) (sample, and any DNA profile, destroyed where investigation interrupted) after the end of the period of six months beginning with the day on which the investigation was resumed.”.
Retention of material: persons convicted of an offence in England and Wales or Scotland
84. After Article 63G of the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 insert—
“Retention of material: effect of convictions in England and Wales or Scotland
63GA.—(1) This Article applies to Article 63B material which does not fall within Article 63G (2).
(2) If the material relates to a person who has been convicted under the law in force in England and Wales of a recordable offence within the meaning of section 118(1) of PACE (“an EW recordable offence”) Articles 63D, 63E, 63H and 63L apply as if—
(a)references in Article 63D(2) and (14), 63E(2) 63H(1)(a)(ii) and (5) and 63L(3)(b) to a person being convicted of a recordable offence included references to a person being convicted of an EW recordable offence (and section 65B(1) of PACE (meaning of “convicted”) applies for that purpose);
(b)references in Article 63D(14) to a qualifying offence included references to a qualifying offence within the meaning of section 65A of PACE;
(c)references in Article 63D(14) and 63H(2) to (4) to a custodial sentence included references to a relevant custodial sentence within the meaning of section 63K(6) of PACE.
(3) If the material relates to a person who has been convicted under the law in force in Scotland of an offence which is punishable by imprisonment (“a relevant Scottish offence”) Article 63D, 63E, 63H and 63L apply as if—
(a)references in Article 63D(2) and (14), 63E(2) 63H(1)(a)(ii) and (5) and 63L(3)(b) to a person being convicted of a recordable offence included references to a person being convicted of a relevant Scottish offence;
(b)references in Article 63D(14) to a qualifying offence included references to—
(i)a relevant sexual offence and a relevant violent offence within the meaning of section 19A of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland Act) 1995; and
(ii)an offence for the time being listed in section 41(1) of the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008;
(c)references in Article 63D(14) and 63H(2) to (4) to a custodial sentence included references to a sentence of imprisonment or detention.
(4) In this Article “PACE” means the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984.”.
Retention of DNA profiles or fingerprints: persons given a prosecutorial fine
85. After Article 63K of the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 insert—
“Retention of Article 63B material: persons given a prosecutorial fine notice
63KA.—(1) This Article applies to Article 63B material which—
(a)relates to a person who is given a prosecutorial fine notice under section 18 of the Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2015, and
(b)was taken (or, in the case of a DNA profile, derived from a sample taken) from the person in connection with the investigation of the offence (or one of the offences) to which the notice relates.
(ii)if the profile was derived from more than one DNA sample, the date on which the first of those samples was taken.”.
Power to retain DNA profile or fingerprints in connection with different offence
86. For Article 63N of the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (Article 63B material obtained for one purpose and used for another) substitute—
“Retention of Article 63B material in connection with different offence
63N.—(1) Paragraph (2) applies if—
(a)Article 63B material is taken (or, in the case of a DNA profile, derived from a sample taken) from a person in connection with the investigation of an offence, and
(b)the person subsequently—
(i)is arrested for or charged with a different offence,
(ii)is convicted of a different offence,
(iii)is given a penalty notice or a prosecutorial fine notice in respect of a different offence;
(iv)is given a caution in respect of a different offence committed when the person is under the age of 18; or
(v)completes a diversionary youth conference process with respect to a different offence.
(2) Articles 63C to 63M and Articles 63O and 63Q have effect in relation to the material as if the material were also taken (or, in the case of a DNA profile, derived from a sample taken)—
(a)in connection with the investigation of the offence mentioned in paragraph (1)(b),
(b)on the date on which the person was arrested for that offence or, if the person was not arrested, on the date on which the person—
(i)was charged with the offence or given a penalty notice or prosecutorial fine in respect of the offence, or
(ii)was cautioned in respect of the offence; or
(iii)completed the diversionary youth conference process with respect to the offence.
(3) Paragraph (3) of Article 63J applies for the purposes of this Article as it applies for the purposes of Article 63J.”.
Retention of personal samples that are or may be disclosable
87. In Article 63R of the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (exclusions for other regimes)—
(a)in paragraph (5) (material that is or may become disclosable to the defence) for “Articles 63B to 63O and 63Q” substitute “Articles 63B to 63Q”;
“(5A) A sample that—
(a)falls within paragraph (5), and
(b)but for that paragraph would be required to be destroyed under Article 63P,
(5B) A sample that once fell within paragraph (5) but no longer does, and so becomes a sample to which Article 63P applies, must be destroyed immediately if the time specified for its destruction under that Article has already passed.”.
89. In Article 22(1)(a) of the Sexual Offences (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 (meeting a child following sexual grooming etc.) for “on at least two occasions” substitute “on one or more occasions”.
90.—(1) In the Sexual Offences (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 after Article 22 insert—
“Sexual communication with a child
22A.—(1) A person aged 18 or over (A) commits an offence if—
(2) For the purposes of this Article, a communication is sexual if—
and in sub-paragraph (a) “sexual activity” means an activity that a reasonable person would, in all the circumstances but regardless of any person’s purpose, consider to be sexual.
(b)on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years.”.
(2) In Article 4 of that Order (meaning of “sexual”) after “except” insert “Article 22A (sexual communication with a child) or”.
(3) In Article 76(10)(a) of that Order (offences outside the United Kingdom) after “children)” insert “except Article 22A”.
(4) In the Sexual Offences Act 2003 in Schedule 3 (sexual offences for purposes of Part 2 of that Act) after paragraph 92H insert—
“92HA. An offence under Article 22A of that Order (sexual communication with a child)”.
(5) In the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 in Part 2 of Schedule 2 (specified sexual offences) in paragraph 14A after the entry relating to Article 22 of the Sexual Offences (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 insert—
“Article 22A (sexual communication with a child),”.
General duty to progress criminal proceedings
91. In relation to criminal proceedings in the Crown Court or a magistrates’ court, it is the duty of the court, the prosecution and the defence to reach a just outcome as swiftly as possible.
Case management regulations
92.—(1) The Department may make regulations in relation to the management and conduct of criminal proceedings in the Crown Court or a magistrates’ court.
(2) The regulations may impose duties on—
(b)the prosecution; and
(c)the defence.
(3) The regulations may confer functions on the court in relation to the active case management of criminal cases.
(4) Active case management includes in particular—
(a)the early identification of the real issues;
(b)the early identification of the needs of witnesses;
(c)achieving certainty as to what must be done, by whom, and when, in particular by the early setting of a timetable for the progress of the case;
(d)monitoring the progress of the case and compliance with directions;
(e)ensuring that evidence, whether disputed or not, is presented in the shortest and clearest way;
(f)discouraging delay, dealing with as many aspects of the case as possible on the same occasion, and avoiding unnecessary hearings;
(g)encouraging the participants to co-operate in the progression of the case;
(h)making use of technology; and
(i)giving any direction appropriate to the needs of that case as early as possible.
(5) The regulations must in particular take account of the need to identify and respect the needs of—
(a)victims,
(b)witnesses, particularly those to whom Article 4(2) of the Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 may apply; and
(c)persons under the age of 18.
(6) Before making any regulations under this section the Department must consult—
(c)the General Council of the Bar of Northern Ireland; and
(d)the Law Society of Northern Ireland.
Powers of court security officers
95. At the end of Schedule 3 to the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2004 (court security officers) add—
“Powers of court security officers to extend to land on which relevant building stands
8. Any power of a court security officer exercisable in, or in relation to, the relevant building, is also exercisable in, or in relation to, any place within the boundary of the land on which the building stands; and references in this Schedule to a relevant building are to be construed accordingly”.
97. Schedule 7 (which makes provision about domestic violence protection notices and orders) has effect.
Aims of youth justice system
98. In section 53 of the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 (Aims of youth justice system) for subsection (3) substitute—
100.—(1) Section 2 of the Lands Tribunal and Compensation Act (Northern Ireland) 1964 is amended as follows.
(2) For subsections (5) and (5A) substitute—
“(5) There shall be paid to the members of the Lands Tribunal appointed under section 1(2) such remuneration as the Department of Justice may determine.”.
101.—(1) Section 21 of the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Criminal Justice and Support for Victims) Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (independent guardian) is amended as follows.
(2) In subsection (4) for paragraph (a) (which requires arrangements to be made with a charity registered under the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008) substitute—
“(a)be made with a charity;”.
(3) In subsection (11) (definitions) after the definition of “administrative decision” insert—
““charity” means an institution which is—
a charity within the definition set out in section 106 of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005;”.
102.—(1) Except as provided by subsection (2), regulations made by the Department under this Act are subject to negative resolution.
(2) Regulations under sections 65 to 69 shall not be made unless a draft of the regulations has been laid before, and approved by resolution of, the Assembly.
(3) Except as provided by subsections (4) to (6), orders made by the Department under this Act are subject to negative resolution.
(4) Subsection (3) does not apply to an order under section 106(2).
(5) An order under section 31(3) is subject to negative resolution only if it is made without a draft of the order having been laid before and approved by a resolution of the Assembly.
(6) No order to which this subsection applies may be made unless a draft of the order has been laid before, and approved by resolution of, the Assembly.
(7) Subsection (6) applies to—
(a)an order under section 4(7), 11(4), 50(11), 51(12) or paragraph 10 of Schedule 7;
(b)an order under section 6(2) containing provision which amends or repeals a provision of an Act of Parliament or Northern Ireland legislation.
(8) Regulations and orders made by the Department under this Act may contain such incidental, supplementary, transitional and saving provisions as appear to the Department to be necessary or expedient.
(9) A power to give directions under this Act includes power—
(a)to amend or revoke the directions;
(b)to include in the directions such incidental, supplementary, transitional and saving provisions as appear to the person giving the directions to be necessary or expedient.
“Northern Ireland” has the meaning given by the Northern Ireland Act 1998;
“statutory provision” has the meaning given by section 1(f) of the Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954; and “existing statutory provision”, in any provision of this Act, means a statutory provision passed or made before the coming into operation of that provision.
(2) In any provision of this Act “commencement” means the date on which that provision comes into operation.
104. Schedule8 (which contains transitional provisions and savings) has effect.
105. The statutory provisions set out in Schedule9 are repealed to the extent specified in the second column of that Schedule.
106.—(1) The following provisions of this Act come into operation on the day after this Act receives Royal Assent—
107. This Act may be cited as the Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2015.