Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Act (Northern Ireland) 2021

Independent oversight of this Part

33.—(1) The Department of Justice must appoint a person—

(a) to—

(i) report to the Department on the person’s assessment of the effectiveness of this Part, and

(ii) make recommendations to the Department in relation to the operation of this Part, and

(b) to advise, and make recommendations to, the Department on the content and review of guidance under section 30.

(2) A report under this section must be completed—

(a) before the end of the period of 2 years beginning with the day on which Chapters 1 and 2 come into operation, and

(b) annually thereafter.

(3) A report under this section—

(a) must be sent to the Department of Justice by the person appointed as soon as practicable after the report is completed, and

(b) must be—

(i) laid before the Assembly by the Department, and

(ii) published by the Department,

as soon as practicable after the report is received by the Department from the person appointed.

(4) An appointment under this section is for the person appointed to act independently of the Department of Justice.

(5) The first appointment under this section must be made before the end of the period of 1 year beginning with the day on which this Act receives Royal Assent.

(6) The preceding subsections of this section cease to have effect at such time, which must not be before the end of the period of 7 years beginning with the day on which Chapters 1 and 2 come into operation, as the Department of Justice may by regulations specify.

(7) Regulations under this section are subject to negative resolution.