The Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 (Victims’ Code of Practice) Order 2013

The Secretary of State for Justice makes the following Order in exercise of the powers conferred by section 33(7) and (8) of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 20041 (“the Act”).

In accordance with section 32(1) of the Act, the Secretary of State brought into operation on 3rd April 2006 a code of practice in respect of the services to be provided to a victim of criminal conduct by persons appearing to him to have functions relating to victims of criminal conduct or any aspect of the criminal justice system. Under section 33(8) of the Act, the Secretary of State for Justice may from time to time revise a code previously brought into operation.

In accordance with section 33(2) to (4) of the Act, in preparing a draft of the revised code the Secretary of State for Justice consulted with the Attorney General and the Secretary of State for the Home Department and after doing so published it.

In accordance with section 33(5) of the Act, in considering representations made to him about the draft the Secretary of State for Justice consulted with the Attorney General and the Secretary of State for the Home Department and modified it in the light of them.

In accordance with section 33(9) of the Act, it appears to the Secretary of State for Justice that the proposed revisions would not result in a significant reduction in the quality or extent of the services to be provided under the code, or a significant restriction in the description of persons to whom services are to be provided under the code.