(1)The Chief Inspector must from time to time, after consultation with the Secretary of State [F1, the Lord Chancellor] and the Attorney General for Northern Ireland, prepare a programme specifying the inspections which he proposes to carry out under section 46.
(2)The Chief Inspector must send a copy of each programme prepared under subsection (1) to—
(a)the Secretary of State, and
[F2(aa)the Lord Chancellor,]
(b)the Attorney General for Northern Ireland.
(3)The Secretary of State may require the Chief Inspector to carry out an inspection of an organisation specified in section 46.
(4)The Secretary of State may require the Chief Inspector to carry out a review of any matter relating to the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland (apart from a matter relating to a court or tribunal).
(5)The Secretary of State may not require the Chief Inspector to carry out an inspection or review under subsection (3) or (4) relating (wholly or partly) to the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland without the consent ofthe Attorney General for Northern Ireland.
[F3(5A)The Secretary of State may not require the Chief Inspector to carry out an inspection or review under subsection (3) or (4) relating (wholly or partly) to the Northern Ireland Court Service or the Northern Ireland Legal Services Commission without the consent of the Lord Chancellor.
(5B)Before carrying out an inspection or review under subsection (3) or (4) relating (wholly or partly) to the Northern Ireland Court Service or the Northern Ireland Legal Services Commission the Chief Inspector must consult the Lord Chancellor.]
(6)The Chief Inspector may not—
(a)carry out inspections or reviews of individual cases, or
(b)carry out an inspection relating to activities of an organisation which do not concern the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland.
[F4(6A)The Chief Inspector may not inspect persons—
(a)making judicial decisions, or
(b)exercising judicial discretion.]
(7)The Secretary of State may require the Chief Inspector to provide advice in relation to an organisation specified in section 46.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 47(1) inserted (7.11.2007) by Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Act 2007 (c. 6), ss. 45(3), 53; S.I. 2007/3069, art. 2
F2S. 47(2)(aa) inserted (7.11.2007) by Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Act 2007 (c. 6), ss. 45(4)(a), 53; S.I. 2007/3069, art. 2
F3S. 47(5A)(5B) inserted (7.11.2007) by Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Act 2007 (c. 6), ss. 45(5), 53; S.I. 2007/3069, art. 2
F4S. 47(6A) inserted (7.11.2007) by Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Act 2007 (c. 6), ss. 45(6), 53; S.I. 2007/3069, art. 2