The Parole Commissioners’ Rules (Northern Ireland) 2009

Consideration by single Commissioner

13.—(1) Within 4 weeks of the expiry of the time specified in rule 10 the single Commissioner shall consider the prisoner’s case and make a provisional direction or direction under paragraph (2).

(2) The single Commissioner shall either:

(a) provisionally direct that the prisoner be released;

(b) provisionally direct that the prisoner not be released; or

(c) direct that the case be considered by a panel appointed under rule 12(2).

(3) Any direction or provisional direction under paragraph (2) shall be recorded in writing and shall be provided to the parties within 7 days of the date of the direction or provisional direction, and reasons for that direction or provisional direction shall be given at the same time.

(4) Where the single Commissioner provisionally directs under paragraph (2) that the prisoner not be released, the prisoner may require a panel appointed under rule 12(2) to consider the prisoner’s case.

(5) Where a prisoner requires their case to be considered by a panel under paragraph (4), the prisoner must within 2 weeks of the date of receipt of the provisional direction serve notice to that effect on the Commissioners and the Secretary of State.

(6) If no notice has been served in accordance with paragraph (5), the provisional direction of the single Commissioner shall become final and shall be provided to the parties within 1 week of the expiry of the period stipulated in paragraph (5).

(7) Subject to paragraph (6); directions made under paragraph (2)(a) or (b) are provisional directions only, final directions shall only be made pursuant to rules 16 or 17.