The Victims and Survivors (Northern Ireland) Order 2006

Introductory N.I.

Title and commencement N.I.

1.—(1) This Order may be cited as the Victims and Survivors (Northern Ireland) Order 2006.

(2) The following provisions of this Order come into operation two weeks after the day on which this Order is made—

(a) this Article; and

(b) Articles 2 and 3.

(3) The other provisions of this Order come into operation on such day or days as the Office may by order appoint.

(4) An order under paragraph (3) may contain such transitional provisions as appear to the Office to be appropriate.

Subordinate Legislation Made

P1 Art. 1(3) power fully exercised: 15.2.2007 appointed by {S.R. 2007/96}, art. 2

Interpretation: general N.I.

2.—(1) The Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 (c. 33) applies to this Order as it applies to an Act of the Assembly.

(2) In this Order—

“the [F1 Commission]” means the [F1 Commission] for Victims and Survivors for Northern Ireland;

“conflict-related incident” means an incident appearing to the [F2 Commission] to be a violent incident occurring in or after 1966 in connection with the affairs of Northern Ireland;

“information” includes information recorded in any form;

“the Office” means the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister;

“practice” includes policy.

Textual Amendments

F1 Word in art. 2(2) in definition of "Commission" substituted (23.5.2008) by Commission for Victims and Survivors Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 6), s. 1(4)(a)

F2 Word in art. 2(2) in definition of "conflict-related incident" substituted (23.5.2008) by Commission for Victims and Survivors Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 6), s. 1(4)(a)

Interpretation: “victim and survivor” N.I.

3.—(1) In this Order references to “ victim and survivor” are references to an individual appearing to the [F3 Commission] to be any of the following—

(a) someone who is or has been physically or psychologically injured as a result of or in consequence of a conflict-related incident;

(b) someone who provides a substantial amount of care on a regular basis for an individual mentioned in paragraph (a); or

(c) someone who has been bereaved as a result of or in consequence of a conflict-related incident.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (1), an individual may be psychologically injured as a result of or in consequence of—

(a) witnessing a conflict-related incident or the consequences of such an incident; or

(b) providing medical or other emergency assistance to an individual in connection with a conflict-related incident.

Textual Amendments

F3 Word in art. 3(1) substituted (23.5.2008) by Commission for Victims and Survivors Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 6), s. 1(4)(a)

The [F4 Commission] N.I.

Textual Amendments

F4 Word in art. 4 cross-heading substituted (23.5.2008) by Commission for Victims and Survivors Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 6), s. 1(4)(a)

The [F5 Commission] for Victims and Survivors for Northern Ireland N.I.

4.— [F6 (1) There shall be a body corporate to be known as the Commission for Victims and Survivors for Northern Ireland.

(2) The Schedule has effect in relation to the Commission.]

(4) This Article shall cease to have effect on such day as the First Minister and deputy First Minister acting jointly may by order appoint.

(5) An order under paragraph (4) may include such transitional provisions as appear to the First Minister and deputy First Minister to be appropriate.

(6) No order may be made under paragraph (4) unless a draft of the order has been laid before, and approved by resolution of, the Assembly.

Textual Amendments

F5 Word in art. 4 heading substituted (23.5.2008) by Commission for Victims and Survivors Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 6), s. 1(4)(a)

F6 Art. 4(1)(2) substituted (23.5.2008) for art. 4(1)-(3) by Commission for Victims and Survivors Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 6), s. 1(2)

Principal aim of the [F7 Commission] N.I.

5.  The principal aim of the [F8 Commission] in exercising [F9 its] functions under this Order is to promote the interests of victims and survivors.

Textual Amendments

F7 Word in art. 5 heading substituted (23.5.2008) by Commission for Victims and Survivors Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 6), s. 1(4)(a)

F8 Word in art. 5 substituted (23.5.2008) by Commission for Victims and Survivors Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 6), s. 1(4)(a)

F9 Word in art. 5 substituted (23.5.2008) by Commission for Victims and Survivors Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 6), s. 1(4)(b)

Duties of the [F10 Commission] N.I.

6.—(1) The [F11 Commission] shall promote an awareness of matters relating to the interests of victims and survivors and of the need to safeguard those interests.

(2) The [F12 Commission] shall keep under review the adequacy and effectiveness of law and practice affecting the interests of victims and survivors.

(3) The [F13 Commission] shall keep under review the adequacy and effectiveness of services provided for victims and survivors by bodies or persons.

(4) The [F14 Commission] shall advise the Secretary of State, the Executive Committee of the Assembly and any body or person providing services for victims and survivors on matters concerning the interests of victims and survivors—

(a) as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt of a request for advice; and

(b) on such other occasions as the [F15 Commission] thinks appropriate.

(5) The [F16 Commission] shall take reasonable steps to ensure that the views of victims and survivors are sought concerning the exercise by the [F16 Commission] of [F17 its] functions.

(6) The [F18 Commission] shall make arrangements for a forum for consultation and discussion with victims and survivors.

Textual Amendments

F10 Word in art. 6 heading substituted (23.5.2008) by Commission for Victims and Survivors Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 6), s. 1(4)(a)

F11 Word in art. 6(1) substituted (23.5.2008) by Commission for Victims and Survivors Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 6), s. 1(4)(a)

F12 Word in art. 6(2) substituted (23.5.2008) by Commission for Victims and Survivors Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 6), s. 1(4)(a)

F13 Word in art. 6(3) substituted (23.5.2008) by Commission for Victims and Survivors Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 6), s. 1(4)(a)

F14 Word in art. 6(4) substituted (23.5.2008) by Commission for Victims and Survivors Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 6), s. 1(4)(a)

F15 Word in art. 6(4)(b) substituted (23.5.2008) by Commission for Victims and Survivors Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 6), s. 1(4)(a)

F16 Word in art. 6(5) substituted (23.5.2008) by Commission for Victims and Survivors Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 6), s. 1(4)(a)

F17 Word in art. 6(5) substituted (23.5.2008) by Commission for Victims and Survivors Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 6), s. 1(4)(b)

F18 Word in art. 6(6) substituted (23.5.2008) by Commission for Victims and Survivors Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 6), s. 1(4)(a)

General powers of the [F19 Commission] N.I.

7.—(1) The [F20 Commission] may undertake, commission or provide financial or other assistance for research or educational activities concerning the interests of victims and survivors or the exercise of [F21 its] functions.

(2) The [F22 Commission] may, after consultation with such bodies or persons as [F23 it] thinks fit, issue guidance on best practice in relation to any matter concerning the interests of victims and survivors.

(3) The [F24 Commission] may—

(a) compile information concerning the interests of victims and survivors;

(b) provide advice or information on any matter concerning the interests of victims and survivors;

(c) publish any matter concerning the interests of victims and survivors, including—

(i) the outcome of any research or activities mentioned in paragraph (1);

(ii) any advice provided by the [F25 Commission].

(4) The [F26 Commission] may make representations or recommendations to any body or person concerning the interests of victims and survivors.

Textual Amendments

F19 Word in art. 7 heading substituted (23.5.2008) by Commission for Victims and Survivors Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 6), s. 1(4)(a)

F20 Word in art. 7(1) substituted (23.5.2008) by Commission for Victims and Survivors Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 6), s. 1(4)(a)

F21 Word in art. 7(1) substituted (23.5.2008) by Commission for Victims and Survivors Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 6), s. 1(4)(b)

F22 Word in art. 7(2) substituted (23.5.2008) by Commission for Victims and Survivors Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 6), s. 1(4)(a)

F23 Word in art. 7(2) substituted (23.5.2008) by Commission for Victims and Survivors Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 6), s. 1(4)(b)

F24 Word in art. 7(3) substituted (23.5.2008) by Commission for Victims and Survivors Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 6), s. 1(4)(a)

F25 Word in art. 7(3)(c)(ii) substituted (23.5.2008) by Commission for Victims and Survivors Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 6), s. 1(4)(a)

F26 Word in art. 7(4) substituted (23.5.2008) by Commission for Victims and Survivors Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 6), s. 1(4)(a)

Work programmes N.I.

8.—(1) The [F27 Commission] shall, at such time, in such form and in respect of such period as the First Minister and deputy First Minister acting jointly may direct, prepare and submit to the First Minister and deputy First Minister a programme of [F28 its] proposed activities in exercise of [F28 its] functions (referred to in this Article as “a work programme”).

(2) A work programme submitted to the First Minister and deputy First Minister under this Article shall include—

(a) in respect of each activity mentioned in the programme, an estimate of the [F29 Commission's] expenditure and receipts;

(b) such other matters as the First Minister and deputy First Minister acting jointly may direct.

(3) Before submitting a work programme under this Article, the [F30 Commission] shall consult such bodies or persons as [F31 it] thinks fit.

(4) The First Minister and deputy First Minister acting jointly may request the [F32 Commission] to furnish such information in connection with any work programme submitted to them as they may require, including information as to the results of any consultations under paragraph (3).

(5) The First Minster and deputy First Minister acting jointly may, after making such modifications, if any, in the work programme as, after consultation with the [F33 Commission], they consider necessary, approve any work programme submitted under this Article.

(6) The [F34 Commission] may at any time, and shall if the First Minister and deputy First Minister acting jointly so direct, prepare and submit to the First Minister and deputy First Minister a revised work programme or an amendment to an existing work programme and paragraphs (2) to (5) shall apply in relation to any such revised work programme or amendment as they apply in relation to the original work programme.

(7) It shall be the duty of the [F35 Commission]—

(a) to carry out the activities in the work programme approved under this Article in accordance with that programme;

(b) not to carry out any activities or incur any expenditure in any period except in accordance with the work programme approved under this Article in respect of that period.

Textual Amendments

F27 Word in art. 8(1) substituted (23.5.2008) by Commission for Victims and Survivors Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 6), s. 1(4)(a)

F28 Word in art. 8(1) substituted (23.5.2008) by Commission for Victims and Survivors Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 6), s. 1(4)(b)

F29 Word in art. 8(2)(a) substituted (23.5.2008) by Commission for Victims and Survivors Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 6), s. 1(4)(a)

F30 Word in art. 8(3) substituted (23.5.2008) by Commission for Victims and Survivors Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 6), s. 1(4)(a)

F31 Word in art. 8(3) substituted (23.5.2008) by Commission for Victims and Survivors Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 6), s. 1(4)(b)

F32 Word in art. 8(4) substituted (23.5.2008) by Commission for Victims and Survivors Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 6), s. 1(4)(a)

F33 Word in art. 8(5) substituted (23.5.2008) by Commission for Victims and Survivors Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 6), s. 1(4)(a)

F34 Word in art. 8(6) substituted (23.5.2008) by Commission for Victims and Survivors Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 6), s. 1(4)(a)

F35 Word in art. 8(7) substituted (23.5.2008) by Commission for Victims and Survivors Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 6), s. 1(4)(a)

Supplementary provisions N.I.

Privilege for certain publications N.I.

9.  For the purposes of the law of defamation, publication by the [F36 Commission] of any matter which the [F36 Commission] is required or authorised to publish under this Order shall be absolutely privileged.

Textual Amendments

F36 Word in art. 9 substituted (23.5.2008) by Commission for Victims and Survivors Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 6), s. 1(4)(a)

Payment of grants by the Office N.I.

10.—(1) The Office may, with the approval of the Department of Finance and Personnel, pay such grants to such bodies or persons as it considers appropriate in connection with measures which appear to the Office to be intended to assist victims and survivors.

(2) Grants under this Article may be subject to such terms and conditions as the Office may, with the approval of the Department of Finance and Personnel, determine.

(3) For the purposes of this Article, the definition of “victim and survivor” shall have effect as if for the word “ [F37 Commission]” there were substituted the word “Office”.

Textual Amendments

F37 Word in art. 10(3) substituted (23.5.2008) by Commission for Victims and Survivors Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 6), s. 1(4)(a)

Christine Cook

Deputy Clerk of the Privy Council