Independent Bodies and Other Organisations

Agencies and Other Associated Bodies

Belfast Harbour Commissioners

Belfast Harbour Commissioners is the official name of the Independent Statutory Corporation which oversees the running of Belfast Harbour. As one of 100 Trust Ports in the UK, it operates commercially but does not have any shareholders or owners and sits outside the public sector.

Certification Office for Trade Unions and Employers' Associations

The Certification Officer is an independent statutory person. The post, which is part-time was established under The Industrial Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1992.

Civil Service Commissioners for Northern Ireland

Civil Service Commissioners are independent of Government and the Northern Ireland Civil Service. They are respnsible for ensuring appointments to the Northern Ireland Civil Service are made on merit on the basis of fair and open competition.

Coleraine Harbour Commissioners

Coleraine Harbour Commissioners is the Navigational Authority regulating marine operations within Coleraine Harbour from the Bramuth to the Millennium footbridge. It has an environmental duty to conserve and facilitate the safe use of the Harbour and its resources.

Food Standards Agency

The Food Standards Agency in Northern Ireland is responsible for devolved matters relating to food safety, standards, nutrition and dietary health in Northern Ireland.

General Council of the Bar of Northern Ireland

The Bar Council is an elected body of 20 practising barristers, the Bar Council is responsible for the governance, regulation and representation of the profession.

International Fund for Ireland

The International Fund for Ireland is an independent international organisation established in 1986 by the British and Irish governments with the objectives of promoting "economic and social advance and to encourage contact, dialogue and reconciliation between nationalists and unionists throughout Ireland. The Fund focuses its efforts in Northern Ireland and the southern border counties of Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Louth, Monaghan and Sligo.

Judiciary NI

Holds Information about the judiciary, judicial decisions and other specific judicial matters

Law Society of Northern Ireland

The Law Society of Northern Ireland powers and duties are to represent and regulate the solicitors' profession in Northern Ireland with the aim of protecting the public. Under the Solicitors (Northern Ireland) Order 1976, the Law Society acts as the regulatory authority governing the education, accounts, discipline and professional conduct of solicitors in order to maintain the independence, ethical standards, professional competence and quality of services offered to the public.

Lay Observer for Northern Ireland

The Lay Observer receives and examines guidelines about the complaints process operated by the Law Society of Northern Ireland and about the way the Client Complaints Committee in the Law Society handles complaints about solicitors.

Londonderry Port and Harbour Commissioners

Londonderry Port and Harbour Commissioners is an Independent Staturory Authority and Port with a duty to improve, maintain and manage the Port to facilitate the development of the harbour.

Northern Ireland Audit Office

The Northern Ireland Audit Office is a public sector body that is totally independent of governemt. Their role is to help the Northern Ireland Assembly hold the Executive to account for the way it spends public money.

Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation

The Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation is responsible for regulating the electricity, gas, water and sewerage industries in Northern Ireland, promoting the short- and long-term interests of consumers.

Office of the Discretionary Support Commissioner

The Office of the Discretionary Support Commissioner was established under The Welfare Reform (Northern Ireland) Order 2015, Part 7. The Commissioner upholds his statutory duties under Article 136 of the Order. The office delivers an independent review service on Discretionary Support decisions made by the Department for Communities.

Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland

Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland is established as a regulator under the Pharmacy (Northern Ireland) Order 1976.

Rural Development Council (Northern Ireland)

The Rural Development Council (RDC) was inaugurated in September 1991 as a key agency within the Government's Rural Development Initiative The Council was set up with 16 members, six appointed by Government and representing a wide range of rural interests, including the farming community, district councils, the voluntary sector and private business.

Warrenpoint Harbour Authority

Warrenpoint Harbour Authority like other Trust Ports across the UK is not owned by Government but operates autonomously. The Port is required to operate in a commercial manner and is an independent statutory body governed by its own legislation.