Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Act (Northern Ireland) 2021

Training within relevant bodies

32.—(1) Each of the following must provide such training on the effect of this Part as it considers appropriate for its personnel—

(a) the Police Service of Northern Ireland,

(b) the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland,

(c) any additional public body that has functions within the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland and which the Department of Justice specifies in connection with this section in regulations.

(2) The Department of Justice must provide such training on the effect of this Part as the Department considers appropriate for—

(a) staff within the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunal Service,

(b) staff of any additional agency of the Department that has functions within the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland and which the Department selects in connection with this section.

(3) A body which must under this section provide training is to do so—

(a) at least annually, and

(b) as something to be undertaken as mandatory—

(i) by such of the relevant personnel or (as the case may be) staff as have responsibilities for dealing with cases involving domestic abuse, and

(ii) for the purpose of ensuring the effective discharge of their responsibilities in relation to such cases.

(4) The Department of Justice must—

(a) publish a statement setting out information held or obtained by the Department about the level of participation by the relevant personnel or (as the case may be) staff in training provided by a body in accordance with this section, and

(b) do so—

(i) before the end of the period of 18 months beginning with the day on which Chapters 1 and 2 come into operation, and

(ii) annually thereafter.

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