Commentary on Sections Northern Ireland Section 49: General functions of the Commissioner
140.Section 49 outlines the functions of the Commissioner. Under subsection (1), the Commissioner’s primary functions are to promote the interests of victims and witnesses of crime and anti-social behaviour, take steps to encourage good practice in their treatment and keep the code issued under section 32 under review. Subsection (2) provides for various ways in which he can carry out these functions, including making a report to the Secretary of State, commissioning research and making recommendations to an authority within his remit (as to which see section 53).
141.Subsection (3) requires that where the Commissioner makes a report to the Secretary of State under subsection (2), the Secretary of State must send the report to the Attorney General and the Lord Chancellor, lay the report before Parliament and arrange for its publication.