http://www.legislation.gov.uk/apni/1954/33/section/31/2012-04-02Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954An Act to make provision with respect to the operation, interpretation and citation of Acts of the Parliament of Northern Ireland and of instruments made thereunder.texttext/xmlenStatute Law Database2024-05-22Expert Participation2012-04-02Construction of Enactments
31Enactment always speaking.(1)

Every enactment shall be construed as always speaking and if anything is expressed in the present tense it shall be applied to the circumstances as they occur, so that effect may be given to each enactment according to its true spirit, intent and meaning.

(2)

The expression “now”, “next”, “heretofore” or “hereafter” shall be construed as referring to the time when the enactment containing the expression came into force.

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