Duties:

1. To keep under review the adequacy and effectiveness of law and practice relating to the protection of human rights. 2. To advise the Secretary of State and the Executive Committee of the Northern Ireland Assembly of Measures which ought to be taken to protect human rights. 3. To advise the Assembly whether a Bill is compatible with human rights. 4. To advise the Secretary of State on the scope for defining, in Westminster legislation, rights supplementary to those in the European Convention on Human Rights (such legislation, when conjoined with the European Convention, to be called a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.) 5. To promote understanding and awareness of the importance of Human Rights in Northern Ireland by, for example, undertaking or commissioning research and educational activities. 6. To do all that it can to ensure the establishment of a Joint Committee with the proposed Human Rights Commission in the Republic of Ireland. 7. To make recommendations to the Secretary of State within two years on how the Commission's effectiveness could be improved.

Powers:

1. To assist individuals who apply to it for help within proceedings which involve the protection of human rights. 2. To bring proceedings itself which involve the protection of human rights. 3. To conduct such investigations as it considers necessary or expedient for the purpose of exercising its other functions. 4. To publish its advice and the outcome of its research and investigations.