Legislation – Victims and Prisoners Act 2024
Part 2Victims of major incidents
Functions and powers of advocates: general
41Reports to the Secretary of State
1
The standing advocate must, in respect of each calendar year, report to the Secretary of State as to—
a
the exercise of the standing advocate’s functions in that year;
b
such matters as the Secretary of State may require in writing;
c
such other matters as the standing advocate considers relevant to their functions or the functions of another advocate.
2
A report under subsection (1) must be made by 1 July in the calendar year following the year in respect of which the report is made.
3
If the Secretary of State gives notice under subsection (4) to an advocate, the advocate must report to the Secretary of State—
a
b
such other matters relating to the advocate’s exercise of their functions as the Secretary of State specifies in the notice.
4
A notice under this subsection must specify—
a
that the Secretary of State requires a report under subsection (3);
b
the matters the Secretary of State requires the report to address.
5
The notice may require the advocate to report within such reasonable period as may be specified in the notice (or such other period as may be agreed).
6
A report made under subsection (3) may include any matters the advocate considers relevant to—
a
a major incident in respect of which they are appointed, or
b
in the case of the standing advocate, any major incident,
whether or not the matters have been specified in a notice under subsection (4).
7
An advocate may, at their discretion and at any time, report to the Secretary of State such matters as the advocate considers relevant to—
a
a major incident in respect of which they are appointed, or
b
in the case of the standing advocate, any major incident.
8
If more than one advocate has been appointed in respect of the same major incident—
a
the Secretary of State may give notice under subsection (4) in relation to the incident only to the lead advocate;
b
only the lead advocate may make a report under subsection (7) in relation to the incident.