Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004

49 General functions of Commissioner

(1) The Commissioner must—

(a) promote the interests of victims and witnesses;

(b) take such steps as he considers appropriate with a view to encouraging good practice in the treatment of victims and witnesses;

(c) keep under review the operation of the code of practice issued under section 32.

(2) The Commissioner may, for any purpose connected with the performance of his duties under subsection (1)—

(a) make proposals to the Secretary of State for amending the code (at the request of the Secretary of State or on his own initiative);

(b) make a report to the Secretary of State;

(c) make recommendations to an authority within his remit;

(d) undertake or arrange for or support (financially or otherwise) the carrying out of research;

(e) consult any person he thinks appropriate.

(3) If the Commissioner makes a report to the Secretary of State under subsection (2)(b)—

(a) the Commissioner must send a copy of the report to the Attorney General and the Lord Chancellor;

(b) the Secretary of State must lay a copy of the report before Parliament and arrange for the report to be published.