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Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973

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Changes over time for: Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973

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Version Superseded: 01/10/2009

Status:

Point in time view as at 03/04/2006.

Changes to legislation:

There are currently no known outstanding effects for the Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973. Help about Changes to Legislation

Legislation Crest

Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973

1973 CHAPTER 36

An Act to make new provision for the government of Northern Ireland.

[18th July 1973]

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C5Act amended (1.9.1992) by Child Support Act 1991 (c. 48, SIF 20), s. 23(4), (with s. 9(2)); S.I. 1992/1938, art.2

C6Act amended (25.10.1993) by 1993 c. 39, s. 63(2), S.I. 1993/2632, art. 2

C7Act amended (7.2.1994) by 1993 c. 48. ss. 187(1); S.I. 1994/86, art. 2

Commencement Information

I1Act partly in force at Royal Assent; Act wholly in force at 1.1.1974 see ss. 2, 43(5).

Part IU.K. Preliminary

Status of Northern IrelandU.K.

F11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.

Textual Amendments

Devolution ordersU.K.

F22. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.

Textual Amendments

F33. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.

Textual Amendments

Part IIU.K. Legislative Powers and Executive Authorities

Legislative powersU.K.

F44. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.

Textual Amendments

F55. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.

Textual Amendments

F66. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.

Textual Amendments

Executive authoritiesU.K.

F77. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.

Textual Amendments

F88. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.

Textual Amendments

F99. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.

Textual Amendments

10 Attorney General for Northern Ireland.U.K.

(1)The Attorney General for England and Wales shall by virtue of that office be Attorney General for Northern Ireland also, and he and the Solicitor General shall by virtue of membership of the bar of England and Wales have in Northern Ireland the same rights of audience as members of the bar of Northern Ireland.

F10(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F10(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F11

F1211. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.

Textual Amendments

Relations with Republic of IrelandU.K.

F1312. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.

Textual Amendments

F13S. 12 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, ss. 100(2), Sch. 15 (with Sch. 14 para. 20); S.I. 1999, art. 2, Sch.

Financial provisionsU.K.

F1413. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.

Textual Amendments

F1514. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.

Textual Amendments

F1615. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.

Textual Amendments

F1716. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.

Textual Amendments

Part IIIU.K. Prevention of Religious and Political Discrimination

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C9Pt. III (ss. 17-23) modified (N.I.) (7.2.1994) by 1993 c. 49, ss. 176(8), 186(2)

F1817. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.

Textual Amendments

F1918. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.

Textual Amendments

F2019. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.

Textual Amendments

F2120. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.

Textual Amendments

F2221. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.

Textual Amendments

F2322. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.

Textual Amendments

F2423. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.

Textual Amendments

Part IVU.K. The Northern Ireland Assembly

F2524. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.

Textual Amendments

F2625. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.

Textual Amendments

F2726. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.

Textual Amendments

F2827. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.

Textual Amendments

F2928. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.

Textual Amendments

F3029. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.

Textual Amendments

F3130. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.

Textual Amendments

Part VU.K. Miscellaneous and Supplementary

31

F32(1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F32(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F32(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F33(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F33(5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F33(6). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F33S. 31(4)-(6) repealed (19.11.1998) by 1998 c. 47, ss. 100(1), 101(2), Sch. 15

F3432. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.

Textual Amendments

33 Preservation of pension rights of former members of Parliament of Northern Ireland and former Ministers.U.K.

F35(1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2)Save as aforesaid and without prejudice to any provision made under this Act, nothing in this Act affects any pension payable under the said Act of 1965 or section 1 of the M1Ministerial Offices Act (Northern Ireland) 1952 the right to which has accrued before the passing of this Act or accrues upon a person ceasing to be a member of the Parliament of Northern Ireland by reason of section 31 above.

Textual Amendments

Marginal Citations

34 Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland.U.K.

F36. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

35 Crown Solicitor for Northern Ireland.U.K.

(1)As from the appointed day there shall be a Crown Solicitor for Northern Ireland appointed by the Attorney General for Northern Ireland.

[F37(1A)A person is not qualified for appointment as Crown Solicitor unless he is—

(a)a member of the Bar of Northern Ireland of at least ten years’standing; or

(b)a solicitor of the Supreme Court of at least ten years’ standing.]

(2)The Crown Solicitor shall hold office on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Attorney General for Northern Ireland.

[F38(3)The Crown Solicitor—

(a)must make his services available to any Minister or department of the Government of the United Kingdom; and

(b)may make his services available to any Northern Ireland Minister or Northern Ireland department or any other public body or holder of public office.]

(4)The remuneration of, and other expenses incurred in connection with, the Crown Solicitor shall be defrayed out of moneys provided by Parliament.

Textual Amendments

F37S. 35(1A) inserted (3.4.2006) by 2002 c. 26, ss. 18(10), 87; S.R. 2006/124, art. 2 Sch. para. 6

F38S. 35(3) substituted (3.4.2006) by 2002 c. 26, ss. 20, 87; S.R. 2006/124, art. 2 Sch. para. 7

36 Provisions as to other Northern Ireland officers.U.K.

(1)Any appointment on or after the appointed day to the office of—

[F39(a)Assembly Ombudsman for Northern Ireland;]

(b)Northern Ireland Commissioner for Complaints;

(c)Civil Service Commissioner for Northern Ireland;

F40(d). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

shall be made by Her Majesty.

F41(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F41(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F41(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5)Her Majesty may by Order in Council make provision with respect to the appointment of lord-lieutenants, lieutenants and deputy lieutenants in Northern Ireland, for conferring on them functions which apart from the Order would be exercisable by lieutenants in Northern Ireland, for altering the designation of vice-lieutenants in Northern Ireland and for matters incidental to or consequential on any provision so made, including the amendment or repeal of any enactment passed before this Act.

(6)An Order in Council under subsection (5) above may be varied or revoked by a subsequent Order.

Textual Amendments

F39S. 36(1)(a) substituted (16.7.1996) by S.I. 1996/1298 (NI 8), art. 21(1), Sch. 5

F41S. 36(2)(3)(4) repealed (16.7.1996) by S.I. 1996/1298 (NI 8), art. 21(2), Sch. 6

37 Provisions as to Joint Exchequer Board and other financial matters.U.K.

F42(1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2)Any sums which, apart from this Act, would be payable into the Consolidated Fund of the United Kingdom by virtue of section 22(1) of the M2Government of Ireland Act 1920 (reserved taxes) shall continue to be so paid; and, subject to subsection (3) below, any sums which, apart from this Act, would be payable into the Consolidated Fund of Northern Ireland by virtue of section 21(1) of that Act (transferred taxes) shall continue to be so paid.

(3)There shall be paid into the Consolidated Fund of the United Kingdom, as from such date as the Treasury may by order direct, the proceeds of any tax specified in the order which would otherwise be paid into the Consolidated Fund of Northern Ireland.

(4)The power to make orders under subsection (3) above includes power to vary or revoke a previous order and shall be exercisable by statutory instrument.

Textual Amendments

Marginal Citations

F4338. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.

Textual Amendments

F4439. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.

Textual Amendments

F4540. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.

Textual Amendments

41 Repeals.U.K.

(1)The enactments specified in Schedule 6 to this Act are hereby repealed to the extent specified in the third column of that Schedule—

(a)in the case of the enactments in Part I of that Schedule, as from the passing of this Act;

(b)in the case of those in Part II, as from the appointed day.

(2)Without prejudice to the generality of the powers conferred by section 39 above, an Order in Council under that section may repeal or revoke any existing statutory provision (as defined in section 40 above) which appears to Her Majesty to be unnecessary in consequence of, or inconsistent with, any provision of this Act.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C10 The text of ss. 30(3), 41(1) and Sch. 6 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

42 Saving for existing laws. U.K.

(1)Except so far as otherwise provided by or under this Act, nothing in this Act shall affect the continued operation in or in relation to Northern Ireland of any law in force at the passing of this Act or on the appointed day.

(2)Without prejudice to subsection (1) above, neither the abolition of the Parliament of Northern Ireland nor the repeal by this Act of any provision relating to that Parliament shall affect the validity or otherwise of any Act of that Parliament.

(3)Neither the abolition of the Parliament of Northern Ireland or of the office of Governor of Northern Ireland nor the repeal by this Act of any provision relating to that Parliament or office shall affect the operation of the M3Northern Ireland (Temporary Provisions) Act 1972 or the validity of any Order in Council made under section 1(3) of that Act; F46. . .

Textual Amendments

F46Words in s. 42(3) repealed (2.12.1999) by S.I. 1999/663, art. 2(2), Sch. 2

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C16S. 42(3) extended (21.8.1991) by S.I. 1991/1220 (N.I. 11), arts. 1(2), 2(3).

Marginal Citations

43 Short title, interpretation and commencement.U.K.

(1)This Act may be cited as the Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973.

(2)In this Act—

  • the appointed day” means the day appointed under section 2 above for the commencement of Part II of this Act;

  • F47. . .

  • F47. . .

  • enactment” includes an enactment of the Parliament of Northern Ireland;

  • functions” includes powers and duties;

  • F47. . .

  • Northern Ireland” has the same meaning as for the purposes of the M4Government of Ireland Act 1920;

  • Northern Ireland executive authorities” has the meaning given in section 7(6) above;

  • F47. . .

  • F47. . .

F48(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4)Any reference in this Act to any enactment is a reference to that enactment as amended by, and includes a reference to that enactment as extended or applied by, any other enactment including this Act.

(5)Part I of this Act and, except where otherwise stated, Parts IV and V of this Act shall come into force at the passing of this Act.

(6)Part III of this Act shall come into force on a day specified in an order made by the Secretary of State by statutory instrument, and different days may be specified under this subsection for different provisions of Part III.

Textual Amendments

F47Definitions in s. 43(2) repealed (2.12.1999) by S.I. 1999/663, arts. 1(2), 2(2), Sch. 2

F48S. 43(3) repealed (2.12.1999) by S.I. 1999/663, arts. 1(2), 2(2), Sch. 2

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C171.9.1973 appointed under s. 43(6) by S.I. 1973/1418

Marginal Citations

SCHEDULES

Section 1.

F49SCHEDULE 1U.K. Polls for Purposes of Section 1

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Section 2.

F50SCHEDULE 2U.K. Excepted Matters

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Sections 2 and 3.

F54SCHEDULE 3U.K. Minimum Reserved Matters on Appointed Day

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Section 8.

F60SCHEDULE 4U.K. Form of Oath or Affirmation under Section 8

Textual Amendments

I swear by Almighty God [or affirm] that I will uphold the laws of Northern Ireland and conscientiously fulfil [as a member of the Northern Ireland Executive] my duties under the Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973 in the interests of Northern Ireland and its people.

Section 40.

F61SCHEDULE 5U.K.General Adaptation of References to Institutions and Offices Abolished by this Act

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

Section 41.

SCHEDULE 6U.K. Repeals

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C19 The text of ss. 30(3), 41(1) and Sch. 6 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

Sch. 6 Pt. I: saving in respect of orders made under 1920 c. 67, s. 69 repealed (31.7.1998) in so far as it relates to S.R. & O. 1922/80

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