Victims and Witnesses of Crime Bill

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Bill Number: Bill 39/22-27

Bill Type: Executive (What are the different Bill Types?)

Bill Sponsor: Minister of Justice

A Bill to provide for the appointment and functions of the Commissioner for Victims and Witnesses of Crime for Northern Ireland; to amend the law relating to criminal evidence and procedure in cases involving aggravation by hostility, sexual offences and death or serious physical harm of a vulnerable person; and for connected purposes.

Follow the Bill’s journey below from Introduction. Each iteration of the Bill will be published along with the accompanying Explanatory and Financial Memorandum.

The legislative stages of bills that go through the Northern Ireland Assembly begins with the First Stage, and then moves to Second Stage, Committee Stage, Further Consideration Stage and Final Stage, before requiring Royal Assent to become an Act.

First Stage

Status

The Bill was introduced on 22 June 2026.

Associated information

Bill as Introduced (HTM)

Bill as Introduced (PDF, 28 pages, 935KB)

Explanatory and Financial Memorandum as Introduced (HTM)

Explanatory and Financial Memorandum as Introduced (PDF, 20 pages, 300KB)

Official Report of the First Stage - 22 June 2026