Ministry of Defence
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MoD harmonises Armed Forces inquiries
A new harmonised system of military inquiries has been introduced today by the Ministry of Defence, replacing the existing system of single service Boards of Inquiry (BOI). A new tri-Service system of Service Inquiries will take their place. This will mean each of the three Services convenes Inquiries on the same statutory basis, which has not been the case for BOIs.
Service Inquiries will continue to fulfil the same function as Boards of Inquiry - to examine the circumstances surrounding serious incidents, to determine the facts and to make recommendations to reduce the possibility of a similar incident reoccurring.
Air Commodore Lindsay Irvine, Deputy Director of RAF Legal Services, a senior adviser on many BOIs, and on the development of the Service Inquiries, said:
"The new system is designed to improve on what has gone before, to better define the role, purpose and conduct of Service Inquiries and initiate uniform procedures across the Services. A single set of statutory rules across the Armed Forces will make it simpler to conduct Inquiries into incidents which involve more than one of the Services."
Note to Editors:
1. BOIs which have been convened before today will continue under their current arrangements. From 1 October 2008 inquiries must be convened under the new arrangements irrespective of whether the incident occurred before or after 1 October.
2. Full details on the new system of Service Inquires can be found at: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2008/uksi_20081651_en_1
3. For further information, contact the MoD Press Office on 020 7218 7954.
