The Magistrates' Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981

Powers of resident magistrate or other justice in relation to persons not released on bailN.I.

132.  Without prejudice to any other provision of this Order, any resident magistrate or other justice of the peace before whom a person arrested for any offence is brought, where he is satisfied that the offence is not of a serious nature, may, without prejudice to further proceedings being brought against such person by way of summons or otherwise, release such person from custody without requiring him to enter into any recognizance.