Government bodies

GOV.UK

GOV.UK is the official UK government website, replacing the Directgov and Business Link sites. Individual government departments' websites have all been (or will be) merged into GOV.UK. The site provides policy information and other departmental materials. There is an extensive Publications database, containing consultation documents, treaties, official guidance, annual reports, statistics and more. The site also includes information and online services for individuals and businesses, on a wide range of topics.

Communities and Local Government

The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) was created in 2006 from the former Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM). Its website has sections for the following areas of departmental responsibility: housing; local government; communties and neighbourhoods; fire and emergencies; regeneration and economic growth; planning, building and the environment. Documents available on the site include consultation papers, research papers, reports, legislation, statistics and press releases.

Planning Appeals Commission

Official website of the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) of Northern Ireland. This independent appeals body hears appeals made against planning decisions taken by a number of government departments including the Department of the Environment (DoE), Department for Regional Development (DRD), Department for Social Development (DSD), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) and the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM). The website gives full details of the functions of the PAC and information on how to appeal.

Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland

This is the official website of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland. who investigates complaints of misconduct, inefficiency and corruption made by the public and police concerning the Police Service of Northern Ireland. The website provides access to information on the role of the Ombudsman and his/her current activities. It includes the text of relevant police legislation and statutory instruments, recent press releases, annual reports and research reports on specific investigations conducted by the body.

Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland

The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) is the principal prosecuting authority in Northern Ireland established in 2005 by the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002. The PPS makes the decisions on whether to prosecute cases which have been investigated by the police in Northern Ireland and by other statutory authorities such as HM Revenue and Customs. As well as information about the PPS the site has a code for prosecutors, corporate information and business plans, equality and diversity policies and information for victims of crime.

Northern Ireland Law Commission

The Northern Ireland Law Commission is the body responsible for reviewing and reforming the law in Northern Ireland. The site provides profiles of the Commissioners and organisational information. The full text of the Commission’s Programme of Law Reform is given along with details of current law reform projects and associated documentation. Topics covered include land law, bail reform, vulnerable witnesses in civil proceedings and business tenancies law.

Northern Ireland Office

Official website of the UK government office of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. The Office is responsible for overseeing devolution in Northern Ireland, representing Northern Ireland interests at UK Government level and UK Government interests in Northern Ireland and for national security and human rights issues. The site provides details of consultations and a searchable collection of reports grouped by topic including criminal justice, parades, elections, decommissioning, security and policing.

Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland

Official website of the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland whose role is to regulate the process by which many of the public appointments in Northern Ireland are made. The site makes available the code of practice and details of the bodies regulated by the Commissioner. Recent annual reports, guidance and other documentation can be downloaded along with investigations and complaints dealt with by the Commissioner.

Care Tribunal

Website of the Care Tribunal for Northern Ireland which was established under the Health and Personal Social Services (Quality, Improvement and Regulation) (Northern Ireland) Order 2003. The Tribunal hears appeals against decisions relating to the regulation of residential care homes, nursing homes, children’s homes and nursing agencies. The site provides the names of the panel chairs and members and full text decisions of the Tribunal.

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