http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2022/32/section/44DPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022enStatute Law Database2026-07-03Expert Participation2026-06-29 Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022s. 44D(5)(a)The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2026Sch. 2 para. 25(b)reg. 1(2)Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022s. 37(1A)(1B)Crime and Policing Act 2026Sch. 19 para. 3(3)s. 255(1)Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 202237(6)(b)Crime and Policing Act 2026Sch. 19 para. 3(6)(b)s. 255(1)Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022s. 38(2A)(2B)Crime and Policing Act 2026Sch. 19 para. 4(2)s. 255(1)Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022s. 38(7A)(7B)Crime and Policing Act 2026Sch. 19 para. 4(6)s. 255(1)Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022s. 39(1A)Crime and Policing Act 2026Sch. 19 para. 5(2)s. 255(1)Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022s. 40(1A)Crime and Policing Act 2026Sch. 19 para. 6(2)s. 255(1)Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022s. 41(1A)Crime and Policing Act 2026Sch. 19 para. 7(3)s. 255(1) PART 2Chapter 3A44D1The Secretary of State must prepare a code of practice for authorised persons about victim information requests and compliance with this Chapter.2The code must in particular—aprovide that an authorised person must, when considering whether they are satisfied as required by paragraph (c) of section 44A(3) in relation to a counselling information request, start from the presumption that the request is not necessary and proportionate to achieve a purpose in that paragraph, andbset out the steps that must be taken by an authorised person when deciding whether that presumption is rebutted.3For the purposes of subsection (2), a “counselling information request” has the meaning given by section 44A(5).4The code may make different provision for different purposes or areas.5In preparing the code, the Secretary of State must consult―athe Information Commissioner,bthe Commissioner for Victims and Witnesses,cthe Domestic Abuse Commissioner, anddsuch other persons as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.6After preparing the code, the Secretary of State must lay it before Parliament and publish it.7The code is to be brought into force by regulations made by statutory instrument.8A statutory instrument containing regulations under subsection (7) is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.9After the code has come into force the Secretary of State may from time to time revise it.10A failure on the part of an authorised person to act in accordance with the code does not of itself render the person liable to any criminal or civil proceedings.11But the code is admissible in evidence in criminal or civil proceedings and a court may take into account a failure to act in accordance with it in determining a question in the proceedings.12References in subsections (2) to (11) to the code include a revised code, subject to subsection (13).13The duty to consult in subsection (5) does not apply in relation to the preparation of a revised code if the Secretary of State considers that the proposed revisions are insubstantial.Pt. 2 Ch. 3A inserted (12.1.2026) by Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 (c. 21), ss. 28, 81(2) (with s. 32); S.I. 2025/1168, reg. 3(a)