7.—(1) The [F1Department of Justice] may at any time release a life prisoner on licence if [F2the Department of Justice] is satisfied that exceptional circumstances exist which justify the prisoner's release on compassionate grounds.
(2) Before releasing a life prisoner under paragraph (1), the [F3Department of Justice] shall consult the Commissioners, unless the circumstances are such as to render such consultation impracticable.
[F4(3) The Secretary of State may notify the Department of Justice that a life prisoner is not to be released under this Article without the Secretary of State's agreement; and, if the Secretary of State gives such a notification in relation to a prisoner, the Department of Justice may not release the prisoner under this Article without the Secretary of State's agreement.
(4) But the Secretary of State may—
(a)give a notification, or
(b)refuse his agreement to a release,
only if his decision to do so is arrived at (wholly or partly) on the basis of protected information.]
F1Words in art. 7(1) substituted (12.4.2010) by Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/976), arts. 1(2), 6(2), Sch. 5 para. 5(a)(i) (with arts. 28-31); S.I. 2010/977, art. 1(2)
F2Words in art. 7(1) substituted (12.4.2010) by Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/976), arts. 1(2), 6(2), Sch. 5 para. 5(a)(ii) (with arts. 28-31); S.I. 2010/977, art. 1(2)
F3Words in art. 7(2) substituted (12.4.2010) by Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/976), arts. 1(2), 6(2), Sch. 5 para. 5(b) (with arts. 28-31); S.I. 2010/977, art. 1(2)