VWISG/28/05
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1. The Subordinate Legislation sub-group held its 6 th meeting on 4 March 05. A copy of the draft minutes will follow for information.
2. The Act of Sederunt is nearing finalisation.
3. With regard to the Act of Adjournal a number of issues remain to be resolved as follows:-
- Service of the Child Witness Notice at the same time as indictment
- Inclusion of provisions on taking evidence on commission given that commencement of this special measure has been postponed until the end of October 2005
- Issues surrounding notice of execution.
4. An almost final draft Commencement Order was issued on 9 March for comment by 11 March. The Order requires to be signed by the Minister on 18 March to enable the SSI Committee to scrutinise it and to take account of the Easter recess the following week. Other than signing the Order does not require any further Parliamentary procedure to enable it to come into operation on 1 April.
5. It was agreed that there should be no further meetings of the Subordinate legislation sub-group though a reconstituted sub-group would probably have to be convened to consider subordinate legislation in respect of the second phase of implementation.
SEJD
Victims and Witnesses Unit
March 2005