- Latest available (Revised)
- Original (As enacted)
Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998
You are here:
- UK Public General Acts
- 1998 c. 32
- Part VII
- Section 65
What Version
Advanced Features
- Show Geographical Extent(e.g. England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland)
- Show Timeline of Changes
Opening Options
More Resources
Changes over time for: Section 65
Alternative versions:
Changes to legislation:
Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998, Section 65 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 11 November 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.
Changes to Legislation
Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the legislation in the affected provisions. Use the ‘more’ link to open the changes and effects relevant to the provision you are viewing.
Changes and effects yet to be applied to the whole Act associated Parts and Chapters:
Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Act (including any effects on those provisions):
- s. 66(3A) modified by 2003 c. 6 s. 30(11) (as added) by S.I. 2007/912 (N.I.) Sch. 4 para. 4
65 Guidance concerning discipline, complaints, etc.N.I.
(1)The [F1Department of Justice] may issue guidance to the [F2Board] and police officers concerning the discharge of their functions—
(a)under this Part;
(b)under regulations made under section 25 in relation to the matters mentioned in subsection (2)(e) of that section; and
(c)under regulations made under section 26 in relation to the matters mentioned in subsection (2)(d) of that section;
and they shall have regard to any such guidance in the discharge of their functions.
(2)Guidance may not be issued under subsection (1) in relation to the handling of a particular case.
(3)A failure on the part of a person to whom guidance is issued under this section to have regard to such guidance shall be admissible in evidence on any appeal from a decision taken in proceedings under regulations made in accordance with section 25(3) or 26(3).
(4)In discharging his functions under section 59 the Ombudsman shall have regard—
(a)to any guidance given to him by the [F3Department of Justice] with respect to such matters as are for the time being the subject of guidance under subsection (1); and
(b)in particular, but without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (a), to any such guidance as to the principles to be applied in cases that involve any question of criminal proceedings.
(5)In discharging his functions under this Part the Ombudsman shall have regard to any guidance given to him by the [F4Department of Justice] with respect to matters the disclosure of which may be prejudicial to the public interest.
[F5(6)In discharging his functions under this Part the Ombudsman shall have regard to any guidance given to him by the Secretary of State with respect to matters the disclosure of which may be prejudicial to the public interest on the ground of national security.
(7)Any guidance given by the Department of Justice to the Ombudsman under this section has effect subject to any guidance given by the Secretary of State under subsection (6).]
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 65(1) substituted (12.4.2010) by The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/976), art. 1(2), Sch. 3 para. 36(a) (with arts. 28-31)
F2Words in s. 65 substituted (4.11.2001) by 2000 c. 32, s. 78(1), Sch. 6 para. 23(5)(a); S.R. 2001/396, art. 2, Sch.
F3Words in s. 65(4) substituted (12.4.2010) by The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/976), art. 1(2), Sch. 3 para. 36(a) (with arts. 28-31)
F4Words in s. 65(5) substituted (12.4.2010) by The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/976), art. 1(2), Sch. 3 para. 36(a) (with arts. 28-31)
F5S. 65(6)(7) inserted (12.4.2010) by The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/976), art. 1(2), Sch. 3 para. 36(b) (with arts. 28-31)
Options/Help
Print Options
PrintThe Whole Act
PrintThe Whole Part
PrintThis Section only
Legislation is available in different versions:
Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.
Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.
See additional information alongside the content
Geographical Extent: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.
Show Timeline of Changes: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.
Opening Options
Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once
More Resources
Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
- the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
- lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
- confers power and blanket amendment details
- all formats of all associated documents
- correction slips
- links to related legislation and further information resources
Timeline of Changes
This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.
More Resources
Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
- the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
- correction slips
Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:
- lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
- confers power and blanket amendment details
- all formats of all associated documents
- links to related legislation and further information resources
All content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. This site additionally contains content derived from EUR-Lex, reused under the terms of the Commission Decision 2011/833/EU on the reuse of documents from the EU institutions. For more information see the EUR-Lex public statement on re-use.