Justice Bill

Transfer of functions related to restorative justice schemes

After clause 26 insert—

‘Accredited providers of restorative justice services

26A.—(1) The Department of Justice must⁠—

(a) determine requirements for the accreditation of persons to provide restorative justice services, and

(b) maintain a register of persons who are accredited in accordance with those requirements.

(2) The requirements must include a requirement that accredited persons cooperate with the Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice in Northern Ireland.

(3) The requirements may include⁠—

(a) in the case where an accredited person is a body, a requirement to be a registered charity;

(b) in the case where an accredited person employs other persons, requirements to be met by some or all of the person’s employees or other staff;

(c) requirements that a person is required to comply with during the period that the person is accredited;

(d) additional requirements which must be met by persons providing restorative justice services in particular kinds of case;

(e) requirements to establish procedures for dealing with complaints made to the person about the provision of restorative justice services;

(f) requirements as to the submission of reports about work undertaken, and as to the provision of information and documents demonstrating that other requirements are met.

(4) The Department must add a person to the register if⁠—

(a) the person applies to be added, and

(b) the Department determines that the person meets the requirements for accreditation.

(5) The Chief Inspector may carry out inspections of accredited persons; and⁠—

(a) the Chief Inspector must from time to time make a report to the Department on inspections carried out by virtue of this subsection, and

(b) section 49(1A) to (1L) of the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 (laying of Chief Inspector’s reports before the Assembly) apply in relation to a report under paragraph (a) as they apply in relation to a report under subsection (1) of that section.

(6) The Department may remove a person from the register if the Department determines that the person no longer meets the requirements for registration.

(7) The Department may make other provision about registration, including⁠—

(a) provision that a person’s accreditation expires after a specified period of time (unless the person applies for it to be renewed);

(b) provision about applications for re-accreditation by persons who have been removed from the register under subsection (6) (including conditions which must be met before such an application may be made);

(c) provision for appeals against decisions of the Department.

(8) The Department must make arrangements for the publication of the register and of the requirements and other provision determined under this section.

(9) Section 43 of the Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Act 2007 is repealed.’

Clause 1, page 7, line 30

Leave out ‘community-based’ Leave out ‘scheme