(This note is not part of the Order)
Section 9(1) of the Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Act 2007 provides that sections 1 to 8 of and Schedule 1 to that Act, which provide for trial on indictment without a jury (“the non-jury trial provisions”), shall expire at the end of the period of two years beginning with the day on which section 1 comes into force (“the effective period”). Section 1 came into force on 1st August 2007. Section 2(2) provides for the Secretary of State by Order to extend or (on one or more occasions) further extend the effective period. The effective period was so extended by S.I. 2009/2090 so as to end on 31st July 2011.
Article 2 of this Order further extends the effective period. Section 9(3)(b) of the Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Act 2007 provides that the effect of an order extending the effective period will be to extend it for the period of two years beginning with the time when the effective period would end but for the order. Accordingly the effect of this Order is to extend the effective period so that it ends on 31st July 2013.