Explanatory note

This Order brings the Victim Charter, which has been prepared and issued by the Department of Justice, into operation on xxx. The Charter is laid before the Assembly with this Order.

The Charter sets out the services which are to be provided to victims by specified criminal justice agencies and the standards which are to be expected in relation to those services as well as the standards which are to be expected in relation to the treatment of victims by such agencies.

The Charter also implements a range of obligations arising out of the EU Directive (2012/29/EU) establishing minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime.

A transposition note, in respect of the Directive, is provided as an Annex to the Explanatory Memorandum associated with this Order. The Order and Explanatory Memorandum can be found at www.legislation.gov.uk. The Charter and the transposition note are available on the Department of Justice website.