Explanatory Notes

Northern Ireland (Location of Victims' Remains) Act 1999

1999 CHAPTER 7

26th May 1999

Commentary on Sections

Section 6: Powers of entry

18.This section makes provision for the grant of warrants authorising entry and search of private premises in the special circumstances to which the Act relates. This is needed because, in searching for the remains of victims, the police will not be conducting criminal investigations and it would therefore be inappropriate for them to seek warrants under the provisions of the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 or its equivalents in Great Britain.

19.The effect of subsections (1) and (2) is that a warrant may be granted to a constable by a resident magistrate in Northern Ireland or by a justice of the peace in Great Britain if the court is satisfied that —