Re-appointment of Victim’s Commissioner

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Rt Hon Julian Smith MP has reappointed Judith Thompson as Northern Ireland Commissioner for Victims & Survivors for 12 months until August 2020.

Julian Smith, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, said:

I have decided to renew the Commissioner’s term for 12 months, in order to provide immediate continuity of this essential role and allow Stormont’s political leaders – once they are back up and running – to determine the long term future of this role.

Notes to Editors

In August 2015 Judith was first appointed by the First Minister and deputy First Minister as Commissioner for victims and survivors of the conflict in Northern Ireland. This role was established by legislation in 2006 and its principle aim is to promote the interests of victims and survivors.

The Commissioner has six statutory duties:

  1. The Commissioner shall promote an awareness of matters relating to the interests of victims and survivors and of the need to safeguard those interests.
  2. The Commissioner shall keep under review the adequacy and effectiveness of law and practice affecting the interests of victims and survivors.
  3. The Commissioner shall keep under review the adequacy and effectiveness of services provided for victims and survivors by bodies or persons.
  4. The Commissioner shall advise the Secretary of State, the Executive Committee of the Assembly and any body or person providing services for victims and survivors on matters concerning the interests of victims and survivors.
  5. As soon as reasonably practicable after receipt of a request for advice; and on such other occasions as the Commissioner thinks appropriate; The Commissioner shall take reasonable steps to ensure that the views of victims and survivors are sought concerning the interests of victims and survivors.
  6. The Commissioner shall make arrangements for a forum for consultation and discussion with victims and survivors.

Ms Thompson’s biography can be found on the Commissioner for Victims and Survivors website

CPANI Code of Practice

This reappointment was made in accordance with the Code of Practice issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland.

Political Activity

All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland requires the political activity of the appointees to be published. Judith Thompson has not declared any political activity in the last five years.

Statutory Requirements

This appointment has been made by the Secretary of State under the provisions of the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation and Exercise of Functions) Act 2018, as amended by the Northern Ireland (Ministerial Appointment Functions) Regulations 2019.