1.—(1) This Order may be cited as the Life Sentences (Northern Ireland) Order 2001.
(2) This Order shall come into operation on such day as the Secretary of State may by order appoint.
(3) An order under paragraph (2) may make such transitional provision as appears to the Secretary of State to be necessary or expedient in connection with the provisions brought into operation by the order.
2.—(1) The Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954(1) shall apply to Article 1 and the following provisions of this Order as it applies to an Act of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
(2) In this Order—
“the appointed day” means the day on which this Order comes into operation;
“the Commissioners” means the Life Sentence Review Commissioners;
“the release provisions” means the provisions of paragraphs (3) to (7) of Article 6;
“life prisoner” means a person serving one or more life sentences;
“life sentence” means either of the following imposed for an offence, whether committed before or after the appointed day, namely—
a sentence of imprisonment for life;
a sentence of detention during the pleasure of the Secretary of State under Article 45(1) of the Criminal Justice (Children) (Northern Ireland) Order 1998(2);
“prison” includes—
a young offenders centre; and
any other place in which a person may be detained under Article 45(1) of the Criminal Justice (Children) (Northern Ireland) Order 1998.