MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
News Release (214/2008) issued by COI News Distribution Service. 1
October 2008
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.