Every provision of this Act shall extend and apply to every enactment, whether passed or made before or after the passing of this Act, unless a contrary intention appears in this Act or in the enactment.

In addition, any provision of this Act which refers to F2statutory provisions shall, unless the contrary intention appears in the F2statutory provisions, have, in relation to those provisions, such effect as is stated in that provision of this Act.

The provisions of this Act shall apply to this Act as they apply to an enactment passed after the commencement of this Act and references in this Act to an enactment passed after the commencement of this Act shall be construed as including references to this Act.

A reference in an enactment to the Sovereign or to the Crown includes a reference to the Sovereign for the time being.

This Act shall be binding on the Crown to the full extent authorised or permitted by the constitutional laws of Northern Ireland.

The preamble to an enactment shall be construed as a part thereof intended to assist in explaining the purport and object of the enactment.

Marginal notes in an enactment and marginal references therein to other enactments shall not be construed as part of the enactment and shall be deemed to be inserted for convenience of reference only.

A reference in an enactment to any statutory provision shall be construed as a reference to that provision as for the time being amended by or under any other statutory provision, including the enactment in which the reference is made.

A reference in an enactment to any statute passed either before the date of the commencement of the Union with Ireland Act, 1800 [1800 c.67] , by the Irish Parliament or the Parliament of England or the Parliament of Great Britain or on or after that date by the Parliament of the United Kingdom, or to any instrument made under or by virtue of any such statute, shall, except as provided in sub-section (3), be construed as a reference to that statute or instrument as it applies for the time being in Northern Ireland.

A reference in an enactment by number or letter to a Part, section, sub-section, paragraph, sub-paragraph or other division of another enactment or statutory provision shall be construed as a reference to such Part, section, sub-section, paragraph, sub-paragraph or other division of such other enactment or provision as printed by authority of law.

A reference in an enactment by number or letter to two or more Parts, divisions, sections, sub-sections, paragraphs, sub-paragraphs, schedules, instruments or forms shall be read as including the number or letter first mentioned and the number or letter last mentioned.

Where in an enactment reference is made to a Part, division, section, schedule or form without anything in the context to indicate that a reference to a Part, division, section, schedule or form of some other enactment or statutory provision is intended, the reference shall be construed as a reference to a Part, division, section, schedule or form of the enactment in which the reference is made.

Where in a section of an enactment reference is made to a sub-section, paragraph, sub-paragraph or other division without anything in the context to indicate that a reference to a sub-section, paragraph, sub-paragraph or other division of some other section or provision is intended, the reference shall be construed as a reference to a sub-section, paragraph, sub-paragraph or other division of the section in which the reference is made.

Where in a schedule or Part of a schedule to an enactment reference is made to a paragraph, sub-paragraph or other division without anything in the context to indicate that a reference to a paragraph, sub-paragraph or other division of some other provision is intended, the reference shall be construed as a reference to the paragraph, sub-paragraph or other division of the schedule or the Part of the schedule in which the reference is made.

Where in an enactment reference is made to a statutory instrument or statutory document, without anything in the context to indicate that a reference to a statutory instrument or statutory document made under some other enactment or statutory provision is intended, the reference shall be construed as a reference to a statutory instrument or statutory document, as the case may be, made under the enactment in which the reference is made.

A reference in an enactment to any power exercisable, statutory instrument or statutory document made, or issued or act or thing done under a statutory provision shall include a reference to a power exercisable, a statutory instrument or statutory document made, or issued or act or thing done by virtue of that provision or of any statutory instrument or statutory document made or issued under or by virtue of that provision.

The expression “herein” when used in a section or other division of an enactment passed or made after the commencement of this Act shall relate to the whole enactment and not to that section or division only.

An Act may be amended, altered or repealed in the same session ofF4 the Assembly.

An amending enactment shall, so far as consistent with the tenor thereof, operate and be construed as part of anyF4 statutory provision which it amends and, without prejudice to sub-section (1) of section eleven shall, as from the date on which it comes into operation, have effect accordingly for the purpose of the construction and operation of any otherF4 statutory provision which refers to, or is incorporated with, the provision which it amends.

The date of the passing of every Act shall be the date on which the Bill for that Act receives the Royal Assent.

The date of the making of every statutory instrument shall be the date therein expressed as the date of the execution thereof, but where the instrument is made by two or more authorities jointly and is therein expressed to be executed by those authorities on different dates, the date of the making thereof shall be the last date so expressed.

Every enactment which is not expressed to come into force or operation on a particular day shall come into operation immediately on the expiration of the day before the date of the passing thereof, or, where the enactment is a statutory instrument, of the making thereof.

Where an enactment is expressed to come into force or operation on a particular day (whether such day is before or after the date of the passing of such enactment, or where the enactment is a statutory instrument, of the making thereof, and whether such day is named in the enactment or is to be appointed or fixed or ascertained in any other manner) the enactment shall be construed as coming into force immediately on the expiration of the day before that particular day.

Where an enactment is expressed to expire, lapse or otherwise cease to have effect on a particular day, the enactment shall, except as provided by sub-section (2), be construed as ceasing to have effect immediately on the expiration of that day.

Where a Bill is introduced into any session of F5the Assembly for the continuance of any Act limited to expire in that session and that Act expires before such Bill, F5having been passed by the Assembly, receives in that session the Royal Assent, that Act shall be deemed to have continued as fully and effectively in operation as if such Bill had received the Royal Assent before that Act expired.

Sub-section (2) shall not operate so as to render any person liable under the provisions of an Act which has expired to any penalty or forfeiture by reason of any act done by him before the date on which the Bill for the continuance of that Act, F5having been passed by the Assembly, receives the Royal Assent.

Where an enactment confers a power or imposes a duty, the power may be exercised and the duty shall be performed from time to time, as occasion requires.

Where an enactment confers a power to make any statutory instrument the power shall be construed as including power, exercisable in the like manner and subject to the like consent and conditions, if any, to amend, alter, rescind or revoke, that instrument and to make other statutory instruments in lieu thereof but this sub-section shall not apply to an order which is not made by a rule-making authority in the exercise of a statutory power which is of a legislative character.

Where an enactment empowers any person or authority to do any act or thing, all such powers shall be deemed to be also given as are reasonably necessary to enable that person or authority to do that act or thing or are incidental to the doing thereof.

Where an enactment authorises or requires an act or thing to be done collectively by more than two persons, a majority of those persons may do that act or thing, unless any quorum fixed by that enactment or by any otherF6 statutory provision has not been formed.

Every person who is appointed by the Crown in right of Her Majesty's Government in Northern Ireland to any office by or under the authority of an enactment, passed or made after the commencement of this Act, shall hold that office during pleasure only, unless the contrary is expressed in the enactment or in his commission or appointment.

Where any act or omission constitutes an offence under two or more than two statutory provisions or under a statutory provision and at common law, the offender shall be liable to be prosecuted and punished under either or any of those provisions or at common law, but shall not be liable to be punished twice for the same offence.

Where an offence under any enactment passed after the commencement of this Act has been committed by a body corporate the liability of whose members is limited, then notwithstanding and without prejudice to the liability of that body, any person who at the time of such commission was a director, general manager, secretary or other similar officer of that body or was purporting to act in any such capacity shall, subject to sub-section (3), be liable to be prosecuted as if he had personally committed that offence and shall, if on such prosecution it is proved to the satisfaction of the court that he consented to, or connived at, or did not exercise all such reasonable diligence as he ought in the circumstances to have exercised to prevent the offence, having regard to the nature of his functions in that capacity and to all the circumstances, be liable to the like conviction and punishment as if he had personally been guilty of that offence.

A person shall not be charged under sub-section (2) [F11F12 except by or with the consent of the Attorney-General or the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland].

An enactment creating criminal liability for an act or omission which, apart from that enactment, would give rise to civil liability shall not operate to prejudice the civil liability …F13.

Where an enactment confers any jurisdiction on a court or other tribunal or extends or varies the jurisdiction of a court or tribunal, the authority having for the time being power to make rules or orders regulating the practice and procedure of that court or tribunal may make such rules or orders (including rules or orders regulating costs, F14..., witnesses and other expenses) as appear to the authority to be necessary for regulating the practice and procedure of such court or tribunal in the exercise of the jurisdiction so conferred, extended or varied, and it shall not be necessary for any other enactment to confer power on the authority to make any rules or orders for those purposes.

All such rules or orders heretofore made under any enactment shall be deemed to have been made under this section and may be varied or revoked accordingly.

In any enactment—

• “rules of court” shall mean rules of court made, or having effect as if made, under section 55 of the Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978 [1978 c.23] ;

• “Crown Court rules” shall mean rules made under section 52 of the Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978.

In any enactment—

• “county court rules” shall mean county court rules made, or having effect as if made, by the authority having for the time being power to make rules regulating the practice and procedure in county courts;

• F15“magistrates' courts rules” shall mean rules made under Part IV of the Magistrates' Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 and shall include any rule or order which under paragraph 5 or 7 of Schedule 5 of that Order has effect as if it was a rule so made.

Where an enactment authorises or requires a document to be served by post, whether the word “serve” or any of the words “give”, “deliver” or “send” or any other word is used, the service of the document may be effected by prepaying, registeringF20 and posting an envelope addressed to the person on whom the document is to be served at his usual or last known place of abode or business and containing such document; and, unless the contrary is proved, the document shall be deemed to have been served at the time at which such envelope would have been delivered in the ordinary course of post.

Where any enactment passed or made after the commencement of this Act authorises or requires evidence to be taken on oath, or authorises or directs an oath to be made, taken or administered, the oath may be administered, and a certificate or acknowledgment of its having been made, taken or administered may be given, by anyone authorised by the enactment to take the evidence, or by a judge of any court, a notary public, or a commissioner for oaths or justice of the peace having authority or jurisdiction in the place where the oath is administered.

In every enactment, the words “oath” and “affidavit” shall, F21..., include affirmation and declaration; and the word “swear” shall, F21..., include affirm and declare.

A reference in an enactment to a statutory declaration shall be construed as a reference to a declaration made by virtue of the Statutory Declarations Act, 1835M21.

A power conferred by an enactment upon a F22lay magistrate or justice of the peace to administer any oath or affirmation, or to take any affidavit or declaration, may be exercised by a notary public or a commissioner for oaths.

Where in an enactment it is declared that the whole or a part of any F23statutory provision is to cease to have effect, that F23statutory provision shall be deemed to have been repealed to the extent to which it is so declared to cease to have effect.

Sub-section (1) shall not be taken to prejudice the operation of any declaration in an enactment that the whole or a part of any F23statutory provision is repealed.

The repeal of any enactment shall not be deemed to be or to involve a declaration that such enactment was or was considered by Parliament F24or (as the case may be) the Assembly to have been previously in force in Northern Ireland.

Nothing in sub-section (2) shall be taken to authorise the continuance in force after the repeal or revocation of a F24statutory provision of any instrument made under that provision.

Where at any time an enactment expires, lapses or otherwise ceases to have effect, this section shall apply as if that enactment had then been repealed or revoked.

The inclusion in the repealing provisions of any enactment of any express saving with respect to the repeals affected thereby shall not be taken to prejudice the operation of this section with respect to the effect of those repeals.

Where an enactment repeals or revokes and re-enacts, with or without modification, any F26statutory provision, a reference in any other F26statutory provision or in any statutory instrument or statutory document to the provision so repealed or revoked shall without prejudice to the operation of sub-sections (2) and (3) be construed as a reference to the provision as re-enacted.

F27For the purpose of reprinting any Act, the Presiding Officer shall cause to be prepared and shall certify a copy of that Act, with the additions, substitutions and omissions referred to in the preceding sub-section, and with the sections, sub-sections and paragraphs numbered in accordance with the F27statutory provision which makes the addition or substitution, as the case may be, and with any renumbering, and any alteration of references, cross-headings and marginal notes and with such other modifications necessarily consequential on the amendments so made andF27... such footnotes and additional references as F27may be necessary or desirable to assist in explaining the reprint.

The Queen's Printer shall print in accordance with the copy as certified all copies of the F27Act to be reprinted which are printed after the passing of the enactment directing the reprint.

F27The Presiding Officer may by order direct that any Act shall be reprinted in accordance with the foregoing sub-sections and where such order is made these sub-sections shall apply as if an enactment had directed F27that Act to be reprinted.

Where F27an Act is reprinted pursuant to an order made under sub-section (4), the fact that it is so reprinted shall be stated on the reprint.

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.

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

Every enactment passed or made after the commencement of this Act conferring any power upon, or granting any privilege or advantage to, any person shall be construed as conferring that power, or, as the case may be, granting that privilege or advantage, for so long only as that enactment remains unrepealed or unrevoked.

Definitions or rules of interpretation contained in an enactment shall apply to the construction of the provisions of the enactment which contain those definitions or rules of interpretation, as well as to the other provisions of the enactment.

An interpretation section or provision contained in an enactment shall be read and construed as being applicable only if a contrary intention does not appear in the enactment.

Words in an enactment importing (whether in relation to an offence or otherwise) persons or male persons shall include male and female persons, corporations (whether aggregate or sole) and unincorporated bodies of persons.

Without prejudice to the foregoing provisions, a reference in an enactment to a party aggrieved shall include a reference to a body corporate in every case where that body is a party aggrieved.

Words in an enactment relating to time and references therein to a point of time shall be construed as relating or referring to Greenwich mean time, subject, however, to any statutory provision which may for the time being provide that, during any specified period or periods, time in Northern Ireland is to differ from Greenwich mean time.

Where in an enactment a period of time is expressed to begin on, or to be reckoned from, a particular day, that day shall not be included in the period.

Where in an enactment a period of time is expressed to end on, or to be reckoned to, a particular day, that day shall be included in the period.

Where the time limited by an enactment for the doing of anything expires or falls upon a Sunday or a public holiday, the time so limited shall extend to and the thing may be done on the first following day that is not a Sunday or a public holiday.

Sub-sections (2), (3) and (4) shall apply whether or not the number of days concerned is expressed to be clear days.

In any enactment relating to any duty or taxF30. . . the expression “night” shall be deemed to begin at eleven of the clock in the evening of each day, and to end at five of the clock in the morning of the next succeeding day.

In an enactment the expression “public holiday” shall include Christmas Day, Good Friday, any bank holiday appointed by or under any statutory provision and any day appointed for public thanksgiving or mourning.

In an enactment the expression—

• [F31 “Assembly” means the Northern Ireland Assembly];

• “House of Commons”, when used without qualificationF32 in any enactment passed or made before 1st January 1974, shall mean House of Commons of Northern Ireland;

• “Parliament”, when used without qualificationF32 in any enactment passed or made before 1st January 1974, shall mean Parliament of Northern Ireland;

• “Senate” shall mean the Senate of Northern Ireland.

Where, under any enactment, a statutory instrument or statutory document is required to be laid before the Assembly, the delivery of a copy of the instrument or document to the Business Office of the Assembly on any day during the existence of an Assembly shall for all purposes be deemed to be the laying of it before the Assembly.

The expression “subject to affirmative resolution” when used in relation to any statutory instruments or statutory documents shall mean that those instruments or documents shall not come into operation unless and until affirmed by a resolution ofF32 the Assembly.

The expression “subject to negative resolution” when used in relation to any statutory instruments or statutory documents shall mean that those instruments or documents shall, as soon as may be after they are made, be laid beforeF32 the Assembly, and if the Assembly, within the statutory period next after any such instrument or document has been so laid, resolves that the instrument or document shall be annulled, the instrument or document shall be void as from the date of the resolution, but without prejudice to the validity of anything done thereunder or to the making of a new instrument or document.

In an enactment the expression—

• “ F36Court of Judicature” shall mean theF36Court of Judicature of Northern Ireland;

• “Court of Appeal” or “High Court of Appeal” shall mean Her Majesty's Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland;

• “High Court” shall mean Her Majesty's High Court of Justice in Northern Ireland;

• “Court of Criminal Appeal” shall mean the Court of Criminal Appeal in Northern Ireland …F37;

• “court of assize” shall mean a court of assize, a court of oyer and terminer and a court of gaol delivery or any of them and shall include a court held in and for the county of the City of Belfast by virtue of a commission of oyer and terminer or general gaol delivery;

• [F38 “Lands Tribunal” shall mean the Lands Tribunal for Northern Ireland;]

• [F39 “Crown Court” shall mean Her Majesty's Crown Court in Northern Ireland;

• “county court” shall mean a county court held for a division under the County Courts [F40 (Northern Ireland) Order 1980 [1980 NI 3] ];]

• … F41

• F42“court of summary jurisdiction” or “magistrates' court” shall have the meaning assigned to it by Article 2(2) of the Magistrates' Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981.

Where an enactment provides that any appeal, application, proceeding or other matter arising thereunder may be heard or determined by a county court, …F41F42 or a magistrates' court, without specifying any particular county court …F41F42 or magistrates' court, the matter may be heard and determined by such county court, …F41F42 or magistrates' court (as the case may be) as may be prescribed, in the case of a county court …F41 by county court rules, or in the case ofF42 a magistrates' court, by magistrates' courts rules or, if no such court is so prescribed, by the county court, …F41F42 or magistrates' court (as the case may be) having jurisdiction over the whole or any part of the division or district or place in which the matter arises or, if the matter relates to any premises, in which those premises are situated.

In an enactment the expression—

• “Lord Chief Justice” shall mean the Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland;

• “Chancery Judge” shall mean the Judge of the High Court to whom the business and matters arising in the chancery jurisdiction of that court are for the time being assigned;

• “county court judge” shall include …F41 a recorder …F41; and

• [F39 “Probate Judge” shall mean the Judge of the High Court to whom probate business and matters are for the time being assigned.]

In an enactment the expression—

• “appeal summarily” shall mean appeal, in accordanceF42 with magistrates' courts rules, to a court of summary jurisdiction;

• Definition rep. by 1975 NI 7; 1978 c. 23

• “committed for trial” shall mean committed by a court, judge, resident magistrate, …F43F44. . . or other authority having power to commit a person in custody with a view to his trial, and shall include committed on bail upon a recognizance to appear and stand trial before a judge and jury;

• F45“standard scale” means the standard scale provided by Article 5 of the Fines and Penalties (Northern Ireland) Order 1984;

• “statutory maximum” means the prescribed sum within the meaning of Article 4 of the Fines and Penalties (Northern Ireland) Order 1984.

• “Summary Jurisdiction Acts” shall mean the statutory provisions for the time being in force in Northern Ireland in relation to summary jurisdiction;

• “summary conviction” shall mean conviction subject to and in accordance with the Summary Jurisdiction Acts.

In an enactment the expression “industrial tribunal” means a tribunal established under Article 3 of the Industrial Tribunals (Northern Ireland) Order 1996.

In an enactment the expression—

• “Admiralty” shall mean the Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom or the Commissioners for executing the office of the Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom;

• “Bank of England” shall mean, as the circumstances require, the Governor and Company of the Bank of England or the Bank of the Governor and Company of the Bank of England;

• “Bank of Ireland” shall mean, as the circumstances require, the Governor and Company of the Bank of Ireland or the Bank of the Governor and Company of the Bank of Ireland;

• “Board of Trade” shall mean the Lords of the Committee of the Privy Council appointed for the consideration of matters relating to trade and foreign plantations;

• “British Islands” shall mean the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and the Republic of Ireland;

• “consular officer” shall include consul-general, consul, vice-consul, consular agent, and any person authorised to discharge the duties of consul-general, consul, or vice-consul;

• “Governor” shall mean the Governor of Northern Ireland;

• “Lord Chancellor” shall mean the Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain;

• “National Debt Commissioners” shall mean the Commissioners for the Reduction of the National Debt;

• “Postmaster General” shall mean Her Majesty's Postmaster General;

• “Privy Council” shall mean, except when used with reference to Northern Ireland only, the Lords and others of Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, and when used with reference to Northern Ireland only, shall mean the Privy Council of Northern Ireland;

• “Secretary of State” shall mean one of Her Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State;

• “Treasury” shall mean the Lord High Treasurer or the Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury;

• “United Kingdom” shall mean the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

In an enactment the expression—

• “Attorney-General” shall mean the Attorney-General for Northern Ireland;

• “authorised analyst” shall include the government chemist and any public analyst;

• Definition rep. by 1976 NI 23

• Definition rep. by 2000 c. 32

• “Commissioner of Valuation” shall mean the officer F47appointed under Article 36 of the Rates (Northern Ireland) Order 1977M19 to be the Commissioner of Valuation for Northern Ireland;

• “consolidated fund” shall mean the consolidated fund of Northern Ireland;

• Definition rep. by 2000 c. 32

• Definition rep. by 1998 c. 32

• “exchequer” shall mean the exchequer of Northern Ireland;

• “government chemist” shall mean the officer appointed under section two of the Administrative Provisions Act (Northern Ireland), 1928M18, to be the government chemist for Northern Ireland;

• “Great Seal” shall mean the Great Seal of Northern Ireland and shall F48include a Wafer Great Seal where the use of that Seal has been authorised under section three of the Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1945M17F48 or section 49 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998;

• Definitions rep. by 1998 c. 32

• “Pharmacy Inspector” and “Pharmacy Registrar” shall mean respectively F49the Pharmacy Inspector appointed under Article 24(1), and the registrar appointed under Article 9(1), of the Pharmacy (Northern Ireland) Order 1976M20;

• F50“Poisons Inspector” means F51the Poisons Inspector appointed under Article 16 of the Poisons (Northern Ireland) Order 1976M15;

• “public analyst” shall mean a public analyst appointed underF52 Article 27(1) of the Food Safety (Northern Ireland) Order 1991;

• “Queen's Printer” shall mean the officer appointed to print Acts;

• F53“regional rate” means a rate made by the Department of Finance under the Rates (Northern Ireland) Order 1977M16;

• “registered pharmacist” shall mean a person registered in the register of pharmaceutical chemists in pursuance of F49the Pharmacy (Northern Ireland) Order 1976;

• Definition rep. by 2000 c. 32

• “weights and measures inspector” shall mean F54a chief or other inspector of weights and measures within the meaning of the Weights and Measures (Northern Ireland) Order 1981M14.

In any enactment passed after the commencement of this Act “estate”, when used with reference to land, includes any legal or equitable estate or interest, easement, right, title, claim, demand, charge, lien or encumbrance in, over, to or in respect of the land.

In an enactment the expression—

• “commencement” when used with reference to any statutory provision shall mean the time at which that provision comes into operation;

• “contravention” shall include in relation to any statutory provision, a failure to comply with that provision;

• “Land Clauses Acts” shall mean the Lands Clauses Consolidation Act, 1845M3, the Lands Clauses Consolidation Acts Amendment Act, 1860M6, the Railways Act (Ireland), 1851M4, the Railways Act (Ireland), 1860M9, the Railways Act (Ireland), 1864M1, F63..., the Acquisition of Land (Assessment of Compensation) Act, 1919M10, section two of the Repeal of Unnecessary Laws Act (Northern Ireland), 1953M7, and every statutory provision for the time being in force amending those provisions or any of them;

• “ordnance map” shall mean a map made under the powers conferred by the Survey (Ireland) Acts, 1825 to 1870;

• “owner” in relation to any land shall include any person who under the Lands Clauses Acts would have power to sell and convey that land to the promoters of an undertaking;(12 & 13 Geo.5)(13 Geo.5)

• “Republic of Ireland” shall mean the territory which, in accordance with the provisions of the Irish Free State (Agreement) Act, 1922M2, and the Irish Free State Constitution Act, 1922M8 (Session 2), was required to be styled and known as the Irish Free State;

• F64“sewerage undertaker” shall be construed in accordance with Article 13 of the Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006;

• “signature” and “signed” shall include and apply to the making of a mark;

• “Valuation Acts” shall mean the F65statutory provisions relating to the valuation of rateable property in Northern Ireland;

• F66“water undertaker” shall be construed in accordance with Article 13 of the Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006;

• “will” shall include codicil;

• “writing”, “written” or any term of like import shall include words typewritten, printed, painted, engraved, lithographed, photographed or represented or reproduced by any mode of representing or reproducing words in a visible form.

In an enactment passed or made after the commencement of this Act the expression—

• “access” shall include ingress, egress and regress;

• “act” where used in reference to an offence or civil wrong shall include a series of acts, and words so used which refer to acts done shall extend to omissions;

• F67“arbitrator” has the same meaning as in Part I of the Arbitration Act 1996;

• “assets” shall include property or rights of any kind;

• “barrister-at-law” shall mean any person admitted or entitled to practise as a member of the Bar of Northern Ireland;

• F68“civil partnership” means a civil partnership which exists under the Civil Partnership Act 2004 (and any reference to a civil partner shall be construed accordingly);

• “constitutional laws of Northern Ireland” shall mean F69... the statutory provisions F69... relating to or affecting the legislative powers of F65the Assembly;

• F70“costs” shall include fees, charges, disbursements, expenses or remuneration;

• “fault” shall mean wrongful act or default;

• “functions” shall include jurisdictions, powers and duties;

• “goods” shall mean all kinds of movable property including animals;

• “individual” shall mean a natural person and shall not include a corporation;

• “movable property” shall mean property of every description (including growing crops) except immovable property;

• “registry of deeds” shall mean the registry maintained in Northern Ireland under the Registration of Deeds Acts;

• F71“Registration of Deeds Acts” shall mean the Registration of Deeds Act (Northern Ireland) 1970M5 and every statutory provision for the time being in force amending that Act or otherwise relating to the registry of deeds, or to the registration of deeds, orders or other instruments or documents in such registry;

• “statute of limitation” shall mean any statutory provision in force in Northern Ireland prescribing a period within which any civil proceeding to which such provision relates is required to be brought, but shall not include a provision prescribing a period within which any criminal proceedings (including proceedings to recover any penalty imposed as a punishment for a criminal offence) is to be brought.

In any enactment passed or made after the day appointed for the commencement of Parts II and III of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, the following expressions shall have the same meaning as in that Act—

• “The Belfast Agreement”;

• “cross-community support”;

• “excepted matter”;

• “Northern Ireland legislation”;

• “reserved matter”; and

• “transferred matter”.

In any enactment, whenever passed or made, any reference to a Minister of a Northern Ireland department shall, in the case of the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister, be construed as a reference to the First Minister and deputy First Minister acting jointly.

Any Act passed after the first day of January, nineteen hundred and forty-three, may be cited by reference to the calendar year in which it was passed and its chapter in that year.

Without prejudice to sub-section (1), any statutory provision may be cited in any manner in which it could have been cited before the commencement of this Act.

A reference in an enactment to a statutory provision shall be construed as referring, in relation to statutes included in any revised edition of the statutes purporting to be printed by authority, to that edition, and in relation to statutes not so included, and passed before the reign of King George the First, to the edition prepared under the direction of the Record Commission, and, in relation to other statutes, to copies of the statutes purporting to be printed under the superintendence or authority of Her Majesty's Stationery Office.

In an enactment every description of or citation from any statutory provision or from any document shall be construed as including the word, sub-section, section, or other portion mentioned or referred to as forming the beginning or as forming the end of the portion comprised in the description or citation or as being the point from which or to which such portion extends.

Without prejudice to sub-section (1), the Interpretation Act, 1889 [1889 c.63] , shall cease to apply to the interpretation of enactments.