EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order brings section 30 of the Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c.9) into operation on 30th December 2016.

Section 30 relates to a Witness Charter and the meaning of a witness. It places a duty on the Department to issue a Witness Charter setting out the services, standard of services and treatment of witnesses by criminal justice agencies. Section 30 also requires criminal justice agencies to have regard to the Charter in carrying out their functions.