Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1996

Section 51.

SCHEDULE 4 Independent Assessor of Military Complaints Procedures in Northern Ireland

Tenure of office

1 (1) Subject to the following provisions of this paragraph, the Independent Assessor shall hold and vacate office in accordance with the terms of his appointment.

(2) The Independent Assessor shall be appointed for a term not exceeding three years.

(3) The Independent Assessor may at any time resign his office by notice in writing addressed to the Secretary of State.

(4) The Secretary of State may remove the Independent Assessor from office—

(a) if he has without reasonable excuse failed to carry out his duties for a continuous period of six months or more;

(b) if he has been convicted of a criminal offence;

(c) if a bankruptcy order has been made against him, his estate has been sequestrated or he has made a composition or arrangement with, or granted a trust deed for, his creditors; or

(d) if the Secretary of State is satisfied that he is otherwise unable or unfit to perform his functions.

(5) At the end of a term of appointment the Independent Assessor shall be eligible for re-appointment.

Remuneration etc.

2 (1) There shall be paid to the Independent Assessor such remuneration and such travelling and other allowances as the Secretary of State may determine.

(2) In the case of any such holder of the office of Independent Assessor as may be determined by the Secretary of State, there shall be paid such pension, allowances or gratuities to or in respect of him, or such payments towards the provision of a pension to or in respect of him, as may be so determined.

Staff

3 (1) The Independent Assessor may appoint such number of employees as he may determine.

(2) The remuneration and other terms and conditions of service of persons employed by the Independent Assessor shall be such as he may determine.

(3) The approval of the Secretary of State shall be required for the making of a determination under this paragraph.

Reports

4 (1) The Independent Assessor shall prepare an annual report on the performance of his functions which he shall submit to the Secretary of State who shall cause it to be published and lay copies of it before each House of Parliament.

(2) The Independent Assessor may make a report to the Secretary of State about any matter which comes to his attention in the course of the performance of his functions.

Disqualification

5 In Part III of Schedule 1 to the [1975 c. 25.] Northern Ireland Assembly Disqualification Act 1975 (other disqualifying offices), the following entry shall be inserted at the appropriate place—

“Independent Assessor of Military Complaints Procedures in Northern Ireland.”