Victims and Prisoners Act 2024

37 Terms of appointment

(1) Subject to the following provisions of this section, an individual is to be appointed as an advocate on terms agreed between the individual and the Secretary of State.

(2) The appointment may be terminated—

(a) by the Secretary of State on such grounds as the Secretary of State considers appropriate;

(b) by the advocate giving notice of their resignation to the Secretary of State;

(c) otherwise in accordance with the terms of the advocate’s appointment.

(3) The Secretary of State may pay to or in respect of an advocate—

(a) such remuneration as the Secretary of State considers appropriate;

(b) reasonable costs incurred by the advocate in connection with the exercise of their functions, including those incurred in connection with proceedings relating to the exercise (or purported exercise) of those functions;

(c) such other sums by way of allowances or gratuities as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

(4) The Secretary of State may make provision for an advocate to have secretarial or other support in connection with the exercise of their functions.

(5) An advocate is not to be regarded as the servant or agent of the Crown or as enjoying any status, immunity or privilege of the Crown.