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The Commissioner for Children and Young People (Northern Ireland) Order 2003

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The Commissioner

The Commissioner for Children and Young People for Northern Ireland

5.—(1) There shall be an officer known as the Commissioner for Children and Young People for Northern Ireland.

(2) The Commissioner shall be appointed by the First Minister and deputy First Minister acting jointly.

(3) Schedule 2 has effect in relation to the Commissioner.

Principal aim of the Commissioner

6.—(1) The principal aim of the Commissioner in exercising his functions under this Order is to safeguard and promote the rights and best interests of children and young persons.

(2) In determining whether and, if so, how to exercise his functions under this Order in relation to any particular child or young person—

(a)the Commissioner’s paramount consideration shall be the rights of the child or young person; and

(b)the Commissioner shall have regard in particular to the ascertainable wishes and feelings of the child or young person (considered in the light of his age and understanding);

but, in his dealings with any body or person under this Order, the Commissioner shall at all times have regard to any statutory provision or rule of law which authorises or requires that body or person to act in a particular manner or authorises or requires that body or person to have regard to any consideration other than that mentioned in sub-paragraph (a).

(3) In determining whether and, if so, how to exercise his functions under this Order, the Commissioner shall have regard to—

(a)the importance of the role of parents in the upbringing and development of their children; and

(b)any relevant provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

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