Explanatory note

This Order appoints as the day on which the code of practice prepared under section 23 of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 (“the 1996 Act”) is brought into operation in Northern Ireland the day which shall be appointed for the purposes of Part 1 of the 1996 Act (disclosure).

The code, which contains provisions relating to the conduct of criminal investigations, applies by virtue of section 25(3) of the 1996 Act in relation to suspended or alleged offences into which no criminal investigation has begun before the day on which the code comes into operation.

The code of practice will be published by The Stationery Office Limited; copies may be obtained from The Stationery Office Bookshops.