Part 3

Victims etc
Chapter 3

Other matters relating to victims etc

Commissioner for Victims and Witnesses

General functions of Commissioner
49
1
The Commissioner must—
a
promote the interests of victims and witnesses;
b
take such steps as he considers appropriate with a view to encouraging good practice in the treatment of victims and witnesses;
c
keep under review the operation of the code of practice issued under section 32.
2
The Commissioner may, for any purpose connected with the performance of his duties under subsection (1)—
a
make proposals to the Secretary of State for amending the code (at the request of the Secretary of State or on his own initiative);
b
make a report to the Secretary of State;
c
make recommendations to an authority within his remit;
d
undertake or arrange for or support (financially or otherwise) the carrying out of research;
e
consult any person he thinks appropriate.
3
If the Commissioner makes a report to the Secretary of State under subsection (2)(b)—
a
the Commissioner must send a copy of the report to the Attorney General and the Lord Chancellor;
b
the Secretary of State must lay a copy of the report before Parliament and arrange for the report to be published.