Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023

22 The immunity requests panel

(1) The immunity requests panel is to consist of—

(a) the Chief Commissioner, and

(b) two ICRIR officers nominated by the Chief Commissioner.

(2) The immunity requests panel is to be chaired by the Chief Commissioner.

(3) The Chief Commissioner—

(a) may remove an ICRIR officer from the panel;

(b) may nominate a different ICRIR officer to be a temporary member of the panel if an ICRIR officer who is a member of the panel is unable to act (and is not removed from the panel).

(4) For provision about the nomination of a person to act temporarily instead of the Chief Commissioner, see section 20(7).

(5) An ICRIR officer may not become or remain a member of the panel (under subsection (1) or (3)) unless the officer—

(a) is a member of the Bar of Northern Ireland, or a solicitor of the Court of Judicature of Northern Ireland, of at least ten years’ standing,

(b) satisfies the judicial-appointment eligibility condition on a ten-year basis (see Part 2 of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007), or

(c) is an advocate or solicitor in Scotland of at least ten years’ standing.

(6) In employing and seconding persons to be ICRIR officers, the ICRIR must ensure that the ICRIR officers include at least two persons who are qualified to serve on the panel in accordance with subsection (5).

(7) The functions conferred on the immunity requests panel (whether by this Act or otherwise) are to be treated as functions of the ICRIR exercisable by the immunity requests panel on behalf of, and in the name of, the ICRIR.