[F1 PART 2 N.I.CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES AND CRIMINAL DEFENCE SERVICES

F1 Pt. II heading substituted (1.4.2015) by Legal Aid and Coroners‘ Courts Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 (c. 11), s. 12(1), Sch. 2 para. 6(3) (with ss. 2(3), 9, Sch. 1 para. 3(3)); S.R. 2015/193, art. 2(e)

Functions of the Department: general] N.I.

[F2 Exercise of functions of the Department under this Part N.I.

3.   The Department shall exercise its functions under this Part for the purpose of—

(a) securing (within the resources made available, and priorities set, in accordance with this Part) that individuals have access to civil legal services that effectively meet their needs, and promoting the availability to individuals of such services; and

(b) securing that individuals involved in criminal investigations or relevant proceedings have access to such criminal defence services as the interests of justice require.]

F2 Art. 3 substituted (1.4.2015) by Legal Aid and Coroners‘ Courts Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 (c. 11), s. 12(1), Sch. 2 para. 6(3) (with ss. 2(3), 9, Sch. 1 para. 3(3)); S.R. 2015/193, art. 2(e)