Part 3: Investigations, legal proceedings etc. and release of prisoners Criminal investigations and proceedings Section 38: No criminal investigations except through ICRIR reviews
This section makes provision which prohibits authorities other than the ICRIR from investigating Troubles-related criminal offences. Under subsection (1), no criminal investigations into any Troubles related offence may be initiated or continued, on and after the day on which the section enters into force (this is the 1 May 2024 – see section 63(3)). This prohibition does not prevent the ICRIR exercising its functions (subsection (2)).
	Under subsection (3) the chief officer of each police force in the UK is placed under a duty to notify the Secretary of State of any criminal investigations of Troubles-related offences their forces are carrying out on the day before the section comes into force.
	Subsection (4) provides that the prohibition has effect subject to section 42(3), which makes saving provision for investigations which relate to criminal prosecutions started before 1 May 2024.