S. 1 in operation at 31.10.2016 by S.R. 2016/387, art. 2(a) (with art. 3)

S. 2 in operation at 31.10.2016 by S.R. 2016/387, art. 2(b) (with art. 3)

S. 3 in operation at 31.10.2016 by S.R. 2016/387, art. 2(c) (with art. 3)

S. 4 in operation at 31.10.2016 by S.R. 2016/387, art. 2(d) (with art. 3)

S. 5 in operation at 31.10.2016 by S.R. 2016/387, art. 2(e) (with art. 3)

S. 6(1) in operation at 31.10.2016 by S.R. 2016/387, art. 2(f) (with art. 3)

S. 6(2) in operation at 30.9.2015 by S.R. 2015/324, art. 3(a)

S. 6(3) in operation at 30.9.2015 by S.R. 2015/324, art. 3(a)

Word in s. 4(11) substituted (10.3.2022) by Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Act 2022 (c. 7), s. 131(1)(4)(a), Sch. 1 para. 41 (with Sch. 1 para. 43)

S. 4(5) excluded (10.3.2022) by Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Act 2022 (c. 7), s. 131(1)(4)(a), Sch. 1 para. 45(2)(a)

S. 4(7) modified (10.3.2022) by Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Act 2022 (c. 7), s. 131(1)(4)(a), Sch. 1 para. 45(2)(b)

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nia/2015/9/part/1/2022-03-10Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2015An Act to provide for a single jurisdiction for county courts and magistrates' courts; to amend the law on committal for trial; to provide for prosecutorial fines; to make provision in relation to victims and witnesses in criminal proceedings and investigations; to amend the law on criminal records and live links; to provide for violent offences prevention orders; to make other amendments relating to the administration of civil and criminal justice; and for connected purposes.texttext/xmlenStatute Law Database2024-04-02Expert Participation2022-03-10PART 1SINGLE JURISDICTION FOR COUNTY COURTS AND MAGISTRATES' COURTS
1Single jurisdiction: abolition of county court divisions and petty sessions districts(1)

Northern Ireland is no longer to be divided into county court divisions and petty sessions districts.

(2)

The jurisdiction and powers of a county court or a magistrates' court are exercisable throughout the whole of Northern Ireland.

2Administrative court divisions(1)

The Department, after consultation with the Lord Chief Justice, shall by directions divide Northern Ireland into areas to be known as administrative court divisions.

(2)

The directions may specify different administrative court divisions for different courts and for different purposes of the same court and, in particular, may specify administrative court divisions—

(a)

for all purposes of a court;

(b)

for specified purposes of a court (for example for the purposes of a county court sitting as a family care centre or a court of summary jurisdiction sitting as a family proceedings court);

(c)

for the residual purposes of a court (that is to say for all purposes other than those dealt with under paragraph (b)).

(3)

For the purposes of this section “court” means—

(a)

a county court;

(b)

a magistrates' court.

(4)

Each administrative court division established by directions under this section is to be known by such name as is specified in the directions.

3Directions as to distribution of business(1)

The Lord Chief Justice may give directions as to—

(a)

the distribution of the business of county courts among such courts;

(b)

the transfer of such business from one county court to another;

(c)

the distribution of the business of magistrates' courts among such courts;

(d)

the transfer of such business from one magistrates' court to another.

(2)

For the purpose of subsection (1) “the business of county courts” includes—

(a)

all such proceedings and matters whatsoever (whether civil or criminal) as under any statutory provision are to be heard by a county court (of any description);

(b)

all such other things as under any statutory provision are to be done by, or in relation to, a county court (of any description).

(3)

For the purpose of subsection (1) “the business of magistrates' courts” includes—

(a)

all such proceedings and matters whatsoever (whether civil or criminal) as under any statutory provision are to be heard by a magistrates' court (of any description);

(b)

all such other things as under any statutory provision are to be done by, or in relation to a magistrates' court (of any description).

(4)

The Department may give directions as to—

(a)

the distribution among chief clerks of the functions exercisable under any statutory provision by a chief clerk;

(b)

the distribution among clerks of petty sessions of the functions exercisable under any statutory provision by a clerk of petty sessions.

(5)

In any statutory provision—

(a)

a reference, in connection with any proceedings or matter, to the chief clerk is a reference to the chief clerk who, in accordance with directions under subsection (4), is to act in relation to those proceedings or that matter;

(b)

a reference, in connection with any proceedings or matter, to the clerk of petty sessions is a reference to the clerk of petty sessions who, in accordance with directions under subsection (4), is to act in relation to those proceedings or that matter.

4Lay magistrates(1)

The Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission must appoint persons to be lay magistrates.

(2)

A lay magistrate shall—

(a)

be appointed for an administrative court division which is specified under section 2 for all or the residual purposes of a magistrates' court; but

(b)

have as regards the whole of Northern Ireland the jurisdiction and duties which immediately before commencement were vested in or imposed on a lay magistrate as regards a county court division.

(3)

Accordingly, so much of any existing statutory provision as requires or authorises anything to be done by, or in relation to, a lay magistrate acting for a particular county court division shall be disregarded; and that thing may be done by, or in relation to, any lay magistrate.

(4)

A lay magistrate shall sit in courts in accordance with directions given by the Lord Chief Justice; and in giving such directions the Lord Chief Justice is to have regard to the desirability of a lay magistrate sitting in courts held in reasonable proximity to where the lay magistrate lives or works.

(5)

A person may not be appointed to be a lay magistrate unless that person—

(a)

has completed a course of training approved by the Lord Chief Justice after consultation with the Department, or

(b)

has given an undertaking in writing to attend such a course of training.

(6)

It is a condition of the appointment of a person under subsection (5)(b) that the person will complete such a course of training within the period of one year beginning with the date of appointment or such longer period as the Lord Chief Justice may, after consulting the Department, allow.

(7)

The Department may, after consultation with the Lord Chief Justice, by order make further provision about eligibility for appointment as a lay magistrate.

(8)

The provision which may be made by an order under subsection (7) includes (in particular) provision that a person (“P”) may not be appointed to be a lay magistrate—

(a)

if P, or a person related to or otherwise connected with P in a prescribed manner—

(i)

holds an office of a prescribed description,

(ii)

has an occupation of a prescribed description, or

(iii)

has been selected as a candidate for election to a prescribed body,

(b)

if P is, under the law of any part of the United Kingdom—

(i)

an undischarged bankrupt or a person whose estate has been sequestered under an order which has not been discharged,

(ii)

subject to a bankruptcy restrictions order or an interim bankruptcy restrictions order, or

(iii)

subject to a moratorium period under a debt relief order or subject to a debt relief restrictions order or an interim debt relief restrictions order,

(c)

if P has been convicted of a prescribed offence, or

(d)

if P does not live or work in, or within a prescribed distance of, the administrative court division for which P is to be appointed,

unless the Department, after consultation with the Lord Chief Justice, otherwise determines in P's particular case.

(9)

In subsection (8) “prescribed” means prescribed in an order under subsection (7).

(10)

An act by a person appointed to be a lay magistrate is not invalidated by reason only that that person is not a lay magistrate because that person was not eligible to be appointed.

(11)

A lay magistrate ceases to hold office on attaining the age of 75 .

(12)

An act by a person who has been a lay magistrate is not invalidated by reason only that that person has ceased to hold office under subsection (11).

(13)

The Department must pay to lay magistrates any such allowances as it may determine.

(14)

The Lord Chief Justice, Lords Justices of Appeal, judges of the High Court and county court judges may exercise any function of a lay magistrate.

5Justices of the peace(1)

There shall be a commission of the peace for Northern Ireland—

(a)

issued under the Great Seal of Northern Ireland; and

(b)

addressed generally, and not by name, to all such persons as may from time to time hold office as justices of the peace for Northern Ireland.

(2)

Justices of the peace for Northern Ireland—

(a)

shall be appointed by the Department by instrument on behalf and in the name of Her Majesty, and

(b)

may be removed from office in the same manner.

(3)

A justice of the peace shall have as regards the whole of Northern Ireland the jurisdiction and duties which immediately before commencement were vested in or imposed on a justice of the peace as regards a county court division.

(4)

Accordingly, so much of any existing statutory provision as requires or authorises anything to be done by, or in relation to, a justice of the peace acting for a particular county court division shall be disregarded; and that thing may be done by, or in relation to, any justice of the peace.

(5)

The Department shall make arrangements—

(a)

for keeping a copy of any instrument appointing or removing a justice of the peace; and

(b)

for keeping, and from time to time rectifying, a record of all persons for the time being holding office as justice of the peace.

6Consequential amendments(1)

Schedule 1 (which contains amendments consequential on the preceding provisions of this Part) has effect.

(2)

The Department may by order make such supplementary, incidental or consequential provision as it considers appropriate in consequence of, or for giving full effect to, this Part.

(3)

An order under subsection (2) may amend, repeal, revoke or otherwise modify any statutory provision.

This XML file does not appear to have any style information associated with it. The document tree is shown below.
<akomaNtoso xmlns:uk="https://www.legislation.gov.uk/namespaces/UK-AKN" xmlns:ukl="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/namespaces/legislation" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" xsi:schemaLocation="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0 http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/akn-core/v1.0/cos01/part2-specs/schemas/akomantoso30.xsd">
<act name="nia">
<meta>
<identification source="#">
<FRBRWork>
<FRBRthis value="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nia/2015/9"/>
<FRBRuri value="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nia/2015/9"/>
<FRBRdate date="2015-07-24" name="enacted"/>
<FRBRauthor href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/legislature/NorthernIrelandAssembly"/>
<FRBRcountry value="GB-NIR"/>
<FRBRnumber value="9"/>
<FRBRname value="2015 c. 9 (N.I.)"/>
<FRBRprescriptive value="true"/>
</FRBRWork>
<FRBRExpression>
<FRBRthis value="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nia/2015/9/2022-03-10"/>
<FRBRuri value="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nia/2015/9/2022-03-10"/>
<FRBRdate date="2022-03-10" name="validFrom"/>
<FRBRauthor href="#"/>
<FRBRlanguage language="eng"/>
</FRBRExpression>
<FRBRManifestation>
<FRBRthis value="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nia/2015/9/2022-03-10/data.akn"/>
<FRBRuri value="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nia/2015/9/2022-03-10/data.akn"/>
<FRBRdate date="2024-12-08Z" name="transform"/>
<FRBRauthor href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk"/>
<FRBRformat value="application/akn+xml"/>
</FRBRManifestation>
</identification>
<lifecycle source="#">
<eventRef refersTo="#enactment" date="2015-07-24" eId="date-enacted" source="#"/>
<eventRef date="2015-09-30" eId="date-2015-09-30" source="#"/>
<eventRef date="2016-10-31" eId="date-2016-10-31" source="#"/>
<eventRef date="2022-03-10" eId="date-2022-03-10" source="#"/>
<eventRef date="2022-04-28" eId="date-2022-04-28" source="#"/>
</lifecycle>
<analysis source="#">
<restrictions source="#">
<restriction refersTo="#extent-ni" type="jurisdiction"/>
<restriction refersTo="#period-from-2022-03-10-to-2022-04-28" type="jurisdiction"/>
<restriction href="#body" refersTo="#period-from-2022-03-10" type="jurisdiction"/>
<restriction href="#part-1" refersTo="#period-from-2022-03-10" type="jurisdiction"/>
<restriction href="#section-1" refersTo="#period-from-2016-10-31" type="jurisdiction"/>
<restriction href="#section-2" refersTo="#period-from-2016-10-31" type="jurisdiction"/>
<restriction href="#section-3" refersTo="#period-from-2016-10-31" type="jurisdiction"/>
<restriction href="#section-4" refersTo="#period-from-2022-03-10" type="jurisdiction"/>
<restriction href="#section-4-5" refersTo="#period-from-2022-03-10" type="jurisdiction"/>
<restriction href="#section-4-7" refersTo="#period-from-2022-03-10" type="jurisdiction"/>
<restriction href="#section-5" refersTo="#period-from-2016-10-31" type="jurisdiction"/>
<restriction href="#section-6" refersTo="#period-from-2016-10-31" type="jurisdiction"/>
<restriction href="#section-6-1" refersTo="#period-from-2016-10-31" type="jurisdiction"/>
<restriction href="#section-6-2" refersTo="#period-from-2015-09-30" type="jurisdiction"/>
<restriction href="#section-6-3" refersTo="#period-from-2015-09-30" type="jurisdiction"/>
</restrictions>
<otherAnalysis source="">
<uk:confersPower href="#section-4" value="true"/>
<uk:confersPower href="#section-6" value="true"/>
<uk:commentary href="#section-1" refersTo="#key-8b63d789357e7b9c3dc47a0c85adf6b2"/>
<uk:commentary href="#section-2" refersTo="#key-778d758d0b56f9536ad095cf032b1ce0"/>
<uk:commentary href="#section-3" refersTo="#key-bd2adfca46611cf504ff65441508d7ce"/>
<uk:commentary href="#section-4" refersTo="#key-02ed1da7aaf8774e98de1010ed98ad3e"/>
<uk:commentary href="#section-4" refersTo="#key-bda19f6939cfd5779febe2bfaada6037"/>
<uk:commentary href="#section-4" refersTo="#key-d8655fc50ab152693905ca3274836c93"/>
<uk:commentary href="#section-4" refersTo="#key-f79dd4f23c4f985f62f6dd34e8859e26"/>
<uk:commentary href="#section-5" refersTo="#key-a633c738e1087656fffad4bd4f806b75"/>
<uk:commentary href="#section-6" refersTo="#key-d18114ce200d7a313649b15b6807b540"/>
<uk:commentary href="#section-6" refersTo="#key-edcf2766f1deeb16a3d067e6f78cdab3"/>
<uk:commentary href="#section-6" refersTo="#key-6b84396fcc77486defea1cc5999193e5"/>
</otherAnalysis>
</analysis>
<temporalData source="#">
<temporalGroup eId="period-from-2015-09-30">
<timeInterval start="#date-2015-09-30" refersTo="#"/>
</temporalGroup>
<temporalGroup eId="period-from-2016-10-31">
<timeInterval start="#date-2016-10-31" refersTo="#"/>
</temporalGroup>
<temporalGroup eId="period-from-2022-03-10">
<timeInterval start="#date-2022-03-10" refersTo="#"/>
</temporalGroup>
<temporalGroup eId="period-from-2022-03-10-to-2022-04-28">
<timeInterval start="#date-2022-03-10" end="#date-2022-04-28" refersTo="#"/>
</temporalGroup>
</temporalData>
<references source="#">
<TLCEvent eId="enactment" href="" showAs="EnactmentDate"/>
<TLCLocation eId="extent-ni" href="" showAs="N.I."/>
</references>
<notes source="#">
<note ukl:Name="Commentary" ukl:Type="I" class="commentary I" eId="key-8b63d789357e7b9c3dc47a0c85adf6b2" marker="I1">
<p>
<ref eId="cljboejm2-00084" class="subref" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nia/2015/9/section/1">S. 1</ref>
in operation at 31.10.2016 by
<ref eId="cljboejm2-00085" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nisr/2016/387">S.R. 2016/387</ref>
,
<ref eId="cljboejm2-00086" class="subref operative" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nisr/2016/387/article/2/a">art. 2(a)</ref>
(with
<ref eId="cljboejm2-00087" class="subref" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nisr/2016/387/article/3">art. 3</ref>
)
</p>
</note>
<note ukl:Name="Commentary" ukl:Type="I" class="commentary I" eId="key-778d758d0b56f9536ad095cf032b1ce0" marker="I2">
<p>
<ref eId="cljboejm2-00094" class="subref" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nia/2015/9/section/2">S. 2</ref>
in operation at 31.10.2016 by
<ref eId="cljboejm2-00095" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nisr/2016/387">S.R. 2016/387</ref>
,
<ref eId="cljboejm2-00096" class="subref operative" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nisr/2016/387/article/2/b">art. 2(b)</ref>
(with
<ref eId="cljboejm2-00097" class="subref" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nisr/2016/387/article/3">art. 3</ref>
)
</p>
</note>
<note ukl:Name="Commentary" ukl:Type="I" class="commentary I" eId="key-bd2adfca46611cf504ff65441508d7ce" marker="I3">
<p>
<ref eId="cljboejm2-00104" class="subref" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nia/2015/9/section/3">S. 3</ref>
in operation at 31.10.2016 by
<ref eId="cljboejm2-00105" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nisr/2016/387">S.R. 2016/387</ref>
,
<ref eId="cljboejm2-00106" class="subref operative" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nisr/2016/387/article/2/c">art. 2(c)</ref>
(with
<ref eId="cljboejm2-00107" class="subref" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nisr/2016/387/article/3">art. 3</ref>
)
</p>
</note>
<note ukl:Name="Commentary" ukl:Type="I" class="commentary I" eId="key-02ed1da7aaf8774e98de1010ed98ad3e" marker="I4">
<p>
<ref eId="cljboejm2-00114" class="subref" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nia/2015/9/section/4">S. 4</ref>
in operation at 31.10.2016 by
<ref eId="cljboejm2-00115" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nisr/2016/387">S.R. 2016/387</ref>
,
<ref eId="cljboejm2-00116" class="subref operative" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nisr/2016/387/article/2/d">art. 2(d)</ref>
(with
<ref eId="cljboejm2-00117" class="subref" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nisr/2016/387/article/3">art. 3</ref>
)
</p>
</note>
<note ukl:Name="Commentary" ukl:Type="I" class="commentary I" eId="key-a633c738e1087656fffad4bd4f806b75" marker="I5">
<p>
<ref eId="cljboejm2-00124" class="subref" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nia/2015/9/section/5">S. 5</ref>
in operation at 31.10.2016 by
<ref eId="cljboejm2-00125" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nisr/2016/387">S.R. 2016/387</ref>
,
<ref eId="cljboejm2-00126" class="subref operative" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nisr/2016/387/article/2/e">art. 2(e)</ref>
(with
<ref eId="cljboejm2-00127" class="subref" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nisr/2016/387/article/3">art. 3</ref>
)
</p>
</note>
<note ukl:Name="Commentary" ukl:Type="I" class="commentary I" eId="key-d18114ce200d7a313649b15b6807b540" marker="I6">
<p>
<ref eId="cljboejm2-00134" class="subref" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nia/2015/9/section/6/1">S. 6(1)</ref>
in operation at 31.10.2016 by
<ref eId="cljboejm2-00135" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nisr/2016/387">S.R. 2016/387</ref>
,
<ref eId="cljboejm2-00136" class="subref operative" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nisr/2016/387/article/2/f">art. 2(f)</ref>
(with
<ref eId="cljboejm2-00137" class="subref" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nisr/2016/387/article/3">art. 3</ref>
)
</p>
</note>
<note ukl:Name="Commentary" ukl:Type="I" class="commentary I" eId="key-edcf2766f1deeb16a3d067e6f78cdab3" marker="I7">
<p>
<ref eId="c3h03u8u2-00007" class="subref" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nia/2015/9/section/6/2">S. 6(2)</ref>
in operation at 30.9.2015 by
<ref eId="c3h03u8u2-00008" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nisr/2015/324">S.R. 2015/324</ref>
,
<ref eId="c3h03u8u2-00009" class="subref operative" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nisr/2015/324/article/3/a">art. 3(a)</ref>
</p>
</note>
<note ukl:Name="Commentary" ukl:Type="I" class="commentary I" eId="key-6b84396fcc77486defea1cc5999193e5" marker="I8">
<p>
<ref eId="c3h03u8u2-00016" class="subref" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nia/2015/9/section/6/3">S. 6(3)</ref>
in operation at 30.9.2015 by
<ref eId="c3h03u8u2-00017" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nisr/2015/324">S.R. 2015/324</ref>
,
<ref eId="c3h03u8u2-00018" class="subref operative" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nisr/2015/324/article/3/a">art. 3(a)</ref>
</p>
</note>
<note ukl:Name="Commentary" ukl:Type="F" class="commentary F" eId="key-f79dd4f23c4f985f62f6dd34e8859e26" marker="F1">
<p>
Word in
<ref eId="cnptn9nv4-00006" class="subref" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nia/2015/9/section/4/11">s. 4(11)</ref>
substituted (10.3.2022) by
<ref eId="cnptn9nv4-00007" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2022/7">Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Act 2022 (c. 7)</ref>
,
<ref eId="cnptn9nv4-00008" class="subref" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2022/7/section/131/1">s. 131(1)</ref>
<ref eId="cnptn9nv4-00009" class="subref" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2022/7/section/131/4/a">(4)(a)</ref>
,
<ref eId="cnptn9nv4-00010" class="subref operative" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2022/7/schedule/1/paragraph/41">Sch. 1 para. 41</ref>
(with
<ref eId="cnptn9nv4-00011" class="subref" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2022/7/schedule/1/paragraph/43">Sch. 1 para. 43</ref>
)
</p>
</note>
<note ukl:Name="Commentary" ukl:Type="C" class="commentary C" eId="key-bda19f6939cfd5779febe2bfaada6037" marker="C1">
<p>
<ref eId="cnpt50644-00017" class="subref" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nia/2015/9/section/4/5">S. 4(5)</ref>
excluded (10.3.2022) by
<ref eId="cnpt50644-00018" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2022/7">Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Act 2022 (c. 7)</ref>
,
<ref eId="cnpt50644-00019" class="subref" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2022/7/section/131/1">s. 131(1)</ref>
<ref eId="cnpt50644-00020" class="subref" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2022/7/section/131/4/a">(4)(a)</ref>
,
<ref eId="cnpt50644-00021" class="subref operative" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2022/7/schedule/1/paragraph/45/2/a">Sch. 1 para. 45(2)(a)</ref>
</p>
</note>
<note ukl:Name="Commentary" ukl:Type="C" class="commentary C" eId="key-d8655fc50ab152693905ca3274836c93" marker="C2">
<p>
<ref eId="cnpt50644-00027" class="subref" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nia/2015/9/section/4/7">S. 4(7)</ref>
modified (10.3.2022) by
<ref eId="cnpt50644-00028" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2022/7">Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Act 2022 (c. 7)</ref>
,
<ref eId="cnpt50644-00029" class="subref" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2022/7/section/131/1">s. 131(1)</ref>
<ref eId="cnpt50644-00030" class="subref" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2022/7/section/131/4/a">(4)(a)</ref>
,
<ref eId="cnpt50644-00031" class="subref operative" href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2022/7/schedule/1/paragraph/45/2/b">Sch. 1 para. 45(2)(b)</ref>
</p>
</note>
</notes>
<proprietary xmlns:ukm="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/namespaces/metadata" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:dct="http://purl.org/dc/terms/" source="#">
<dc:identifier>http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nia/2015/9/part/1/2022-03-10</dc:identifier>
<dc:title>Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2015</dc:title>
<dc:description>An Act to provide for a single jurisdiction for county courts and magistrates' courts; to amend the law on committal for trial; to provide for prosecutorial fines; to make provision in relation to victims and witnesses in criminal proceedings and investigations; to amend the law on criminal records and live links; to provide for violent offences prevention orders; to make other amendments relating to the administration of civil and criminal justice; and for connected purposes.</dc:description>
<dc:type>text</dc:type>
<dc:format>text/xml</dc:format>
<dc:language>en</dc:language>
<dc:publisher>Statute Law Database</dc:publisher>
<dc:modified>2024-04-02</dc:modified>
<dc:contributor>Expert Participation</dc:contributor>
<dct:valid>2022-03-10</dct:valid>
<ukm:PrimaryMetadata>
<ukm:DocumentClassification>
<ukm:DocumentCategory Value="primary"/>
<ukm:DocumentMainType Value="NorthernIrelandAct"/>
<ukm:DocumentStatus Value="revised"/>
</ukm:DocumentClassification>
<ukm:Year Value="2015"/>
<ukm:Number Value="9"/>
<ukm:EnactmentDate Date="2015-07-24"/>
<ukm:ISBN Value="9780105951629"/>
</ukm:PrimaryMetadata>
<ukm:Notes>
<ukm:Note IdURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/nia/2015/9/part/1/notes" DocumentURI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nia/2015/9/part/1/notes"/>
<ukm:Alternatives>
<ukm:Alternative URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nia/2015/9/pdfs/niaen_20150009_en.pdf" Date="2015-08-04" Title="Explanatory Note" Size="442664"/>
</ukm:Alternatives>
</ukm:Notes>
<ukm:Alternatives>
<ukm:Alternative URI="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nia/2015/9/pdfs/nia_20150009_en.pdf" Date="2015-07-28" Size="1189969"/>
</ukm:Alternatives>
<ukm:Statistics>
<ukm:TotalParagraphs Value="375"/>
<ukm:BodyParagraphs Value="121"/>
<ukm:ScheduleParagraphs Value="254"/>
<ukm:AttachmentParagraphs Value="0"/>
<ukm:TotalImages Value="0"/>
</ukm:Statistics>
</proprietary>
</meta>
<body eId="body">
<part eId="part-1" uk:target="true">
<num>
<b>PART 1</b>
</num>
<heading>SINGLE JURISDICTION FOR COUNTY COURTS AND MAGISTRATES' COURTS</heading>
<section eId="section-1">
<num>1</num>
<heading>Single jurisdiction: abolition of county court divisions and petty sessions districts</heading>
<subsection eId="section-1-1">
<num>(1)</num>
<content>
<p>Northern Ireland is no longer to be divided into county court divisions and petty sessions districts.</p>
</content>
</subsection>
<subsection eId="section-1-2">
<num>(2)</num>
<content>
<p>The jurisdiction and powers of a county court or a magistrates' court are exercisable throughout the whole of Northern Ireland.</p>
</content>
</subsection>
</section>
<section eId="section-2">
<num>2</num>
<heading>Administrative court divisions</heading>
<subsection eId="section-2-1">
<num>(1)</num>
<content>
<p>The Department, after consultation with the Lord Chief Justice, shall by directions divide Northern Ireland into areas to be known as administrative court divisions.</p>
</content>
</subsection>
<subsection eId="section-2-2">
<num>(2)</num>
<intro>
<p>The directions may specify different administrative court divisions for different courts and for different purposes of the same court and, in particular, may specify administrative court divisions—</p>
</intro>
<level class="para1" eId="section-2-2-a">
<num>(a)</num>
<content>
<p>for all purposes of a court;</p>
</content>
</level>
<level class="para1" eId="section-2-2-b">
<num>(b)</num>
<content>
<p>for specified purposes of a court (for example for the purposes of a county court sitting as a family care centre or a court of summary jurisdiction sitting as a family proceedings court);</p>
</content>
</level>
<level class="para1" eId="section-2-2-c">
<num>(c)</num>
<content>
<p>for the residual purposes of a court (that is to say for all purposes other than those dealt with under paragraph (b)).</p>
</content>
</level>
</subsection>
<subsection eId="section-2-3">
<num>(3)</num>
<intro>
<p>
For the purposes of this section “
<term refersTo="#term-court" eId="term-court">court</term>
” means—
</p>
</intro>
<level class="para1" eId="section-2-3-a">
<num>(a)</num>
<content>
<p>a county court;</p>
</content>
</level>
<level class="para1" eId="section-2-3-b">
<num>(b)</num>
<content>
<p>a magistrates' court.</p>
</content>
</level>
</subsection>
<subsection eId="section-2-4">
<num>(4)</num>
<content>
<p>Each administrative court division established by directions under this section is to be known by such name as is specified in the directions.</p>
</content>
</subsection>
</section>
<section eId="section-3">
<num>3</num>
<heading>Directions as to distribution of business</heading>
<subsection eId="section-3-1">
<num>(1)</num>
<intro>
<p>The Lord Chief Justice may give directions as to—</p>
</intro>
<level class="para1" eId="section-3-1-a">
<num>(a)</num>
<content>
<p>the distribution of the business of county courts among such courts;</p>
</content>
</level>
<level class="para1" eId="section-3-1-b">
<num>(b)</num>
<content>
<p>the transfer of such business from one county court to another;</p>
</content>
</level>
<level class="para1" eId="section-3-1-c">
<num>(c)</num>
<content>
<p>the distribution of the business of magistrates' courts among such courts;</p>
</content>
</level>
<level class="para1" eId="section-3-1-d">
<num>(d)</num>
<content>
<p>the transfer of such business from one magistrates' court to another.</p>
</content>
</level>
</subsection>
<subsection eId="section-3-2">
<num>(2)</num>
<intro>
<p>
For the purpose of subsection (1) “
<term refersTo="#term-the-business-of-county-courts" eId="term-the-business-of-county-courts">the business of county courts</term>
” includes—
</p>
</intro>
<level class="para1" eId="section-3-2-a">
<num>(a)</num>
<content>
<p>all such proceedings and matters whatsoever (whether civil or criminal) as under any statutory provision are to be heard by a county court (of any description);</p>
</content>
</level>
<level class="para1" eId="section-3-2-b">
<num>(b)</num>
<content>
<p>all such other things as under any statutory provision are to be done by, or in relation to, a county court (of any description).</p>
</content>
</level>
</subsection>
<subsection eId="section-3-3">
<num>(3)</num>
<intro>
<p>For the purpose of subsection (1) “the business of magistrates' courts” includes—</p>
</intro>
<level class="para1" eId="section-3-3-a">
<num>(a)</num>
<content>
<p>all such proceedings and matters whatsoever (whether civil or criminal) as under any statutory provision are to be heard by a magistrates' court (of any description);</p>
</content>
</level>
<level class="para1" eId="section-3-3-b">
<num>(b)</num>
<content>
<p>all such other things as under any statutory provision are to be done by, or in relation to a magistrates' court (of any description).</p>
</content>
</level>
</subsection>
<subsection eId="section-3-4">
<num>(4)</num>
<intro>
<p>The Department may give directions as to—</p>
</intro>
<level class="para1" eId="section-3-4-a">
<num>(a)</num>
<content>
<p>the distribution among chief clerks of the functions exercisable under any statutory provision by a chief clerk;</p>
</content>
</level>
<level class="para1" eId="section-3-4-b">
<num>(b)</num>
<content>
<p>the distribution among clerks of petty sessions of the functions exercisable under any statutory provision by a clerk of petty sessions.</p>
</content>
</level>
</subsection>
<subsection eId="section-3-5">
<num>(5)</num>
<intro>
<p>In any statutory provision—</p>
</intro>
<level class="para1" eId="section-3-5-a">
<num>(a)</num>
<content>
<p>a reference, in connection with any proceedings or matter, to the chief clerk is a reference to the chief clerk who, in accordance with directions under subsection (4), is to act in relation to those proceedings or that matter;</p>
</content>
</level>
<level class="para1" eId="section-3-5-b">
<num>(b)</num>
<content>
<p>a reference, in connection with any proceedings or matter, to the clerk of petty sessions is a reference to the clerk of petty sessions who, in accordance with directions under subsection (4), is to act in relation to those proceedings or that matter.</p>
</content>
</level>
</subsection>
</section>
<section eId="section-4">
<num>4</num>
<heading>Lay magistrates</heading>
<subsection eId="section-4-1">
<num>(1)</num>
<content>
<p>The Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission must appoint persons to be lay magistrates.</p>
</content>
</subsection>
<subsection eId="section-4-2">
<num>(2)</num>
<intro>
<p>A lay magistrate shall—</p>
</intro>
<level class="para1" eId="section-4-2-a">
<num>(a)</num>
<content>
<p>be appointed for an administrative court division which is specified under section 2 for all or the residual purposes of a magistrates' court; but</p>
</content>
</level>
<level class="para1" eId="section-4-2-b">
<num>(b)</num>
<content>
<p>have as regards the whole of Northern Ireland the jurisdiction and duties which immediately before commencement were vested in or imposed on a lay magistrate as regards a county court division.</p>
</content>
</level>
</subsection>
<subsection eId="section-4-3">
<num>(3)</num>
<content>
<p>Accordingly, so much of any existing statutory provision as requires or authorises anything to be done by, or in relation to, a lay magistrate acting for a particular county court division shall be disregarded; and that thing may be done by, or in relation to, any lay magistrate.</p>
</content>
</subsection>
<subsection eId="section-4-4">
<num>(4)</num>
<content>
<p>A lay magistrate shall sit in courts in accordance with directions given by the Lord Chief Justice; and in giving such directions the Lord Chief Justice is to have regard to the desirability of a lay magistrate sitting in courts held in reasonable proximity to where the lay magistrate lives or works.</p>
</content>
</subsection>
<subsection eId="section-4-5">
<num>(5)</num>
<intro>
<p>A person may not be appointed to be a lay magistrate unless that person—</p>
</intro>
<level class="para1" eId="section-4-5-a">
<num>(a)</num>
<content>
<p>has completed a course of training approved by the Lord Chief Justice after consultation with the Department, or</p>
</content>
</level>
<level class="para1" eId="section-4-5-b">
<num>(b)</num>
<content>
<p>has given an undertaking in writing to attend such a course of training.</p>
</content>
</level>
</subsection>
<subsection eId="section-4-6">
<num>(6)</num>
<content>
<p>It is a condition of the appointment of a person under subsection (5)(b) that the person will complete such a course of training within the period of one year beginning with the date of appointment or such longer period as the Lord Chief Justice may, after consulting the Department, allow.</p>
</content>
</subsection>
<subsection eId="section-4-7">
<num>(7)</num>
<content>
<p>The Department may, after consultation with the Lord Chief Justice, by order make further provision about eligibility for appointment as a lay magistrate.</p>
</content>
</subsection>
<subsection eId="section-4-8">
<num>(8)</num>
<intro>
<p>The provision which may be made by an order under subsection (7) includes (in particular) provision that a person (“P”) may not be appointed to be a lay magistrate—</p>
</intro>
<level class="para1" eId="section-4-8-a">
<num>(a)</num>
<intro>
<p>if P, or a person related to or otherwise connected with P in a prescribed manner—</p>
</intro>
<level class="para2" eId="section-4-8-a-i">
<num>(i)</num>
<content>
<p>holds an office of a prescribed description,</p>
</content>
</level>
<level class="para2" eId="section-4-8-a-ii">
<num>(ii)</num>
<content>
<p>has an occupation of a prescribed description, or</p>
</content>
</level>
<level class="para2" eId="section-4-8-a-iii">
<num>(iii)</num>
<content>
<p>has been selected as a candidate for election to a prescribed body,</p>
</content>
</level>
</level>
<level class="para1" eId="section-4-8-b">
<num>(b)</num>
<intro>
<p>if P is, under the law of any part of the United Kingdom—</p>
</intro>
<level class="para2" eId="section-4-8-b-i">
<num>(i)</num>
<content>
<p>an undischarged bankrupt or a person whose estate has been sequestered under an order which has not been discharged,</p>
</content>
</level>
<level class="para2" eId="section-4-8-b-ii">
<num>(ii)</num>
<content>
<p>subject to a bankruptcy restrictions order or an interim bankruptcy restrictions order, or</p>
</content>
</level>
<level class="para2" eId="section-4-8-b-iii">
<num>(iii)</num>
<content>
<p>subject to a moratorium period under a debt relief order or subject to a debt relief restrictions order or an interim debt relief restrictions order,</p>
</content>
</level>
</level>
<level class="para1" eId="section-4-8-c">
<num>(c)</num>
<content>
<p>if P has been convicted of a prescribed offence, or</p>
</content>
</level>
<level class="para1" eId="section-4-8-d">
<num>(d)</num>
<content>
<p>if P does not live or work in, or within a prescribed distance of, the administrative court division for which P is to be appointed,</p>
</content>
</level>
<wrapUp>
<p>unless the Department, after consultation with the Lord Chief Justice, otherwise determines in P's particular case.</p>
</wrapUp>
</subsection>
<subsection eId="section-4-9">
<num>(9)</num>
<content>
<p>
In subsection (8) “
<term refersTo="#term-prescribed" eId="term-prescribed">prescribed</term>
” means prescribed in an order under subsection (7).
</p>
</content>
</subsection>
<subsection eId="section-4-10">
<num>(10)</num>
<content>
<p>An act by a person appointed to be a lay magistrate is not invalidated by reason only that that person is not a lay magistrate because that person was not eligible to be appointed.</p>
</content>
</subsection>
<subsection eId="section-4-11">
<num>(11)</num>
<content>
<p>
A lay magistrate ceases to hold office on attaining the age of
<ins class="substitution first last" ukl:ChangeId="key-f79dd4f23c4f985f62f6dd34e8859e26-1658920561991" ukl:CommentaryRef="key-f79dd4f23c4f985f62f6dd34e8859e26">
<noteRef uk:name="commentary" href="#key-f79dd4f23c4f985f62f6dd34e8859e26" class="commentary"/>
75
</ins>
.
</p>
</content>
</subsection>
<subsection eId="section-4-12">
<num>(12)</num>
<content>
<p>An act by a person who has been a lay magistrate is not invalidated by reason only that that person has ceased to hold office under subsection (11).</p>
</content>
</subsection>
<subsection eId="section-4-13">
<num>(13)</num>
<content>
<p>The Department must pay to lay magistrates any such allowances as it may determine.</p>
</content>
</subsection>
<subsection eId="section-4-14">
<num>(14)</num>
<content>
<p>The Lord Chief Justice, Lords Justices of Appeal, judges of the High Court and county court judges may exercise any function of a lay magistrate.</p>
</content>
</subsection>
</section>
<section eId="section-5">
<num>5</num>
<heading>Justices of the peace</heading>
<subsection eId="section-5-1">
<num>(1)</num>
<intro>
<p>There shall be a commission of the peace for Northern Ireland—</p>
</intro>
<level class="para1" eId="section-5-1-a">
<num>(a)</num>
<content>
<p>issued under the Great Seal of Northern Ireland; and</p>
</content>
</level>
<level class="para1" eId="section-5-1-b">
<num>(b)</num>
<content>
<p>addressed generally, and not by name, to all such persons as may from time to time hold office as justices of the peace for Northern Ireland.</p>
</content>
</level>
</subsection>
<subsection eId="section-5-2">
<num>(2)</num>
<intro>
<p>Justices of the peace for Northern Ireland—</p>
</intro>
<level class="para1" eId="section-5-2-a">
<num>(a)</num>
<content>
<p>shall be appointed by the Department by instrument on behalf and in the name of Her Majesty, and</p>
</content>
</level>
<level class="para1" eId="section-5-2-b">
<num>(b)</num>
<content>
<p>may be removed from office in the same manner.</p>
</content>
</level>
</subsection>
<subsection eId="section-5-3">
<num>(3)</num>
<content>
<p>A justice of the peace shall have as regards the whole of Northern Ireland the jurisdiction and duties which immediately before commencement were vested in or imposed on a justice of the peace as regards a county court division.</p>
</content>
</subsection>
<subsection eId="section-5-4">
<num>(4)</num>
<content>
<p>Accordingly, so much of any existing statutory provision as requires or authorises anything to be done by, or in relation to, a justice of the peace acting for a particular county court division shall be disregarded; and that thing may be done by, or in relation to, any justice of the peace.</p>
</content>
</subsection>
<subsection eId="section-5-5">
<num>(5)</num>
<intro>
<p>The Department shall make arrangements—</p>
</intro>
<level class="para1" eId="section-5-5-a">
<num>(a)</num>
<content>
<p>for keeping a copy of any instrument appointing or removing a justice of the peace; and</p>
</content>
</level>
<level class="para1" eId="section-5-5-b">
<num>(b)</num>
<content>
<p>for keeping, and from time to time rectifying, a record of all persons for the time being holding office as justice of the peace.</p>
</content>
</level>
</subsection>
</section>
<section eId="section-6">
<num>6</num>
<heading>Consequential amendments</heading>
<subsection eId="section-6-1">
<num>(1)</num>
<content>
<p>Schedule 1 (which contains amendments consequential on the preceding provisions of this Part) has effect.</p>
</content>
</subsection>
<subsection eId="section-6-2">
<num>(2)</num>
<content>
<p>The Department may by order make such supplementary, incidental or consequential provision as it considers appropriate in consequence of, or for giving full effect to, this Part.</p>
</content>
</subsection>
<subsection eId="section-6-3">
<num>(3)</num>
<content>
<p>An order under subsection (2) may amend, repeal, revoke or otherwise modify any statutory provision.</p>
</content>
</subsection>
</section>
</part>
</body>
</act>
</akomaNtoso>