Consultation on Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order Codes of Practice

Justice Minister Naomi Long has launched a consultation on proposed changes to the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (PACE NI) Codes of Practice.

The proposed changes are to Codes of Practice A to H, and the introduction of new Code I. 

Justice Minister Naomi Long said: “The Codes of Practice regulate the wide range of powers available to police officers in connection with the prevention and detection of crime. 

“The Codes also provide important protections and safeguards for members of the public and together they ensure the powers are exercised in a proportionate and considerate way. 

“This is an important area of public policy and I would encourage anyone with an interest in the changes to the PACE Codes to respond to the consultation.”

Codes A to H are being revised broadly to reflect changes to primary legislation made by Westminster in the Counter Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019 and the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022. Code I is a new code which is required to support the National Security Act 2023 (NSA). 

Further information on the consultation, including how to respond is available on the Department’s website publication page. 

Consultation responses can be completed using the Citizen Space platform

The consultation will run for twelve weeks, from Thursday 25 July 2024 and closes on Wednesday 16 October 2024.

Notes to editors: 

1.  The Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (PACE NI) and its associated Codes of Practice (the Codes) are vital parts of the framework of legislation providing the police with the powers they need to tackle and investigate crime. The Codes support PACE NI by providing guidance on the use of the powers it confers on the police and safeguards on the rights of individuals under investigation and/or detained in police custody.

2.  The subject matter of Codes H and I is excepted but the Department of Justice has responsibility for the Codes of Practice to suppo rt the PSNI in exercising powers under the Terrorism Act 2000 and NSA. 

3. The Codes broadly mirror the PACE Codes in England and Wales. 

4. The Department of Justice has a statutory duty (Articles 65 and 66 of PACE NI) for issuing new and revised codes.

5. For media enquiries contact the Department of Justice Press Office via EMAIL

7.  The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays.  The duty press officer can be contacted out of hours on 028 9037 8110.

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