- Y Diweddaraf sydd Ar Gael (Diwygiedig)
- Pwynt Penodol mewn Amser (02/12/1999)
- Gwreiddiol (Fel y'i Deddfwyd)
Version Superseded: 13/06/2005
Point in time view as at 02/12/1999.
There are currently no known outstanding effects for the Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973.
Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. At the current time any known changes or effects made by subsequent legislation have been applied to the text of the legislation you are viewing by the editorial team. Please see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ for details regarding the timescales for which new effects are identified and recorded on this site.
An Act to make new provision for the government of Northern Ireland.
[18th July 1973]
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1Act amended by Patents, Designs and Marks Act 1986 (c. 39, SIF 67A), s. 2(2)
C2Act amended by Social Security Act 1990 (c. 27, SIF 113:1), s. 22(2)
C3Act amended (1.8.1991) by Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 (c. 37, SIF 83:1), s. 48(2)(with ss. 39(3), 43(2)); S.I. 1991/1400, art. 2(2)
C4Act excluded by Environmental Protection Act 1990 (c. 43, SIF 46:4), ss. 3(8), 153(5)
C5Act amended (1.9.1992) by Child Support Act 1991 (c. 48, SIF 20), s. 23(4), (with s. 9(2)); S.I. 1992/1938, art.2
C6Act amended (25.10.1993) by 1993 c. 39, s. 63(2), S.I. 1993/2632, art. 2
C7Act amended (7.2.1994) by 1993 c. 48. ss. 187(1); S.I. 1994/86, art. 2
Commencement Information
Textual Amendments
F1S. 1 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
Textual Amendments
F2S. 2 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
Textual Amendments
F3S. 3 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
Textual Amendments
F4S. 4 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
Textual Amendments
F5S. 5 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
Textual Amendments
F6S. 6 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
Textual Amendments
F7S. 7 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
Textual Amendments
F8S. 8 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
Textual Amendments
F9S. 9 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
(1)The Attorney General for England and Wales shall by virtue of that office be Attorney General for Northern Ireland also, and he and the Solicitor General shall by virtue of membership of the bar of England and Wales have in Northern Ireland the same rights of audience as members of the bar of Northern Ireland.
F10(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F10(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F11
Textual Amendments
F10S. 10(2)(3) repealed (30.9.1997) by 1997 c. 60, s. 3(2), Sch.
Textual Amendments
F12S. 11 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
Textual Amendments
F13S. 12 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, ss. 100(2), Sch. 15 (with Sch. 14 para. 20); S.I. 1999, art. 2, Sch.
Textual Amendments
F14S. 13 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
Textual Amendments
F15S. 14 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, ss. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
Textual Amendments
F16S. 15 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
Textual Amendments
F17S. 16 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C8Pt. III (ss. 17-23) modified (N.I.) (1.7.1992) by Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 (c. 8), ss. 167(2), 168(4) (with ss. 153(5), 161, Sch. 6 para. 1(7))
C9Pt. III (ss. 17-23) modified (N.I.) (7.2.1994) by 1993 c. 49, ss. 176(8), 186(2)
Textual Amendments
F18S. 17 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15 (with Sch. 14 para. 21); S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
Textual Amendments
F19S. 18 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15 (with Sch. 14 para. 21); S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
Textual Amendments
F20S. 19 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15 (with Sch. 14 para. 22); S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
Textual Amendments
F21S. 20 repealed (1.3.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/340, art. 2, Sch. Pt. III
Textual Amendments
F22S. 21 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
Textual Amendments
F23S. 22 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
Textual Amendments
F24S. 23 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
Textual Amendments
F25S. 24 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, ss. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
Textual Amendments
F26S. 25 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
Textual Amendments
F27S. 26 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
Textual Amendments
F28S. 27 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
Textual Amendments
F29S. 28 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
Textual Amendments
F30S. 29 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
Textual Amendments
F31S. 30 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
F32(1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F32(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F32(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F33(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F33(5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F33(6). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F32S. 31(1)-(3) repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
F33S. 31(4)-(6) repealed (19.11.1998) by 1998 c. 47, ss. 100(1), 101(2), Sch. 15
Textual Amendments
F34S. 32 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(1), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
F35(1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2)Save as aforesaid and without prejudice to any provision made under this Act, nothing in this Act affects any pension payable under the said Act of 1965 or section 1 of the M1Ministerial Offices Act (Northern Ireland) 1952 the right to which has accrued before the passing of this Act or accrues upon a person ceasing to be a member of the Parliament of Northern Ireland by reason of section 31 above.
Textual Amendments
F35S. 33(1) repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
Marginal Citations
(1)As from the appointed day the M2Prosecution of Offences (Northern Ireland) Order 1972 (which establishes and makes provision for the office of Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland) shall have effect subject to the following provisions of this section.
(2)Any appointment to the office of Director or deputy Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland shall be made by the Attorney General for Northern Ireland; and the Attorney General for Northern Ireland may remove the Director or deputy Director on the ground of inability or misbehaviour.
(3)In Article 4(2)(b) and (c) (provisions as to resignation and retirement) for references to the Governor of Northern Ireland there shall be substituted references to the Attorney General for Northern Ireland.
(4)Article 3(2) (which places the Director under the superintendence of the Attorney General so long as section 1 of the M3Northern Ireland (Temporary Provisions) Act 1972 has effect) shall continue to apply after that section ceases to have effect.
(5)Any reference in Article 4 or 8 to the Ministry of Home Affairs or the Ministry of Finance shall, as respects anything falling to be done after the appointed day, be construed as a reference to the Secretary of State.
(1)As from the appointed day there shall be a Crown Solicitor for Northern Ireland appointed by the Attorney General for Northern Ireland.
(2)The Crown Solicitor shall hold office on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Attorney General for Northern Ireland.
(3)The services of the Crown Solicitor shall be available to any Minister or department of the Government of the United Kingdom and, with the approval of the Attorney General for Northern Ireland and on such terms as he may determine, to any Northern Ireland executive authority.
(4)The remuneration of, and other expenses incurred in connection with, the Crown Solicitor shall be defrayed out of moneys provided by Parliament.
(1)Any appointment on or after the appointed day to the office of—
[F36(a)Assembly Ombudsman for Northern Ireland;]
(b)Northern Ireland Commissioner for Complaints;
(c)Civil Service Commissioner for Northern Ireland;
F37(d). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
shall be made by Her Majesty.
F38(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F38(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F38(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(5)Her Majesty may by Order in Council make provision with respect to the appointment of lord-lieutenants, lieutenants and deputy lieutenants in Northern Ireland, for conferring on them functions which apart from the Order would be exercisable by lieutenants in Northern Ireland, for altering the designation of vice-lieutenants in Northern Ireland and for matters incidental to or consequential on any provision so made, including the amendment or repeal of any enactment passed before this Act.
(6)An Order in Council under subsection (5) above may be varied or revoked by a subsequent Order.
Textual Amendments
F36S. 36(1)(a) substituted (16.7.1996) by S.I. 1996/1298 (NI 8), art. 21(1), Sch. 5
F37S. 36(1)(d) repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(1), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
F38S. 36(2)(3)(4) repealed (16.7.1996) by S.I. 1996/1298 (NI 8), art. 21(2), Sch. 6
F39(1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2)Any sums which, apart from this Act, would be payable into the Consolidated Fund of the United Kingdom by virtue of section 22(1) of the M4Government of Ireland Act 1920 (reserved taxes) shall continue to be so paid; and, subject to subsection (3) below, any sums which, apart from this Act, would be payable into the Consolidated Fund of Northern Ireland by virtue of section 21(1) of that Act (transferred taxes) shall continue to be so paid.
(3)There shall be paid into the Consolidated Fund of the United Kingdom, as from such date as the Treasury may by order direct, the proceeds of any tax specified in the order which would otherwise be paid into the Consolidated Fund of Northern Ireland.
(4)The power to make orders under subsection (3) above includes power to vary or revoke a previous order and shall be exercisable by statutory instrument.
Textual Amendments
F39S. 37(1) repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
Marginal Citations
Textual Amendments
F40S. 38 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
Textual Amendments
F41S. 39 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
Textual Amendments
F42S. 40 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
(1)The enactments specified in Schedule 6 to this Act are hereby repealed to the extent specified in the third column of that Schedule—
(a)in the case of the enactments in Part I of that Schedule, as from the passing of this Act;
(b)in the case of those in Part II, as from the appointed day.
(2)Without prejudice to the generality of the powers conferred by section 39 above, an Order in Council under that section may repeal or revoke any existing statutory provision (as defined in section 40 above) which appears to Her Majesty to be unnecessary in consequence of, or inconsistent with, any provision of this Act.
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C10 The text of ss. 30(3), 41(1) and Sch. 6 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.
(1)Except so far as otherwise provided by or under this Act, nothing in this Act shall affect the continued operation in or in relation to Northern Ireland of any law in force at the passing of this Act or on the appointed day.
(2)Without prejudice to subsection (1) above, neither the abolition of the Parliament of Northern Ireland nor the repeal by this Act of any provision relating to that Parliament shall affect the validity or otherwise of any Act of that Parliament.
(3)Neither the abolition of the Parliament of Northern Ireland or of the office of Governor of Northern Ireland nor the repeal by this Act of any provision relating to that Parliament or office shall affect the operation of the M5Northern Ireland (Temporary Provisions) Act 1972 or the validity of any Order in Council made under section 1(3) of that Act; F43. . .
Textual Amendments
F43Words in s. 42(3) repealed (2.12.1999) by S.I. 1999/663, art. 2(2), Sch. 2
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C11S. 42 extended by S.I. 1986/1032 (N.I. 6), art. 2(4)
C12S. 42 amended by S.I. 1989/1339 (N.I. 11), art. 2(10)
C13S. 42 extended by S.I. 1990/594 (N.I. 6), Pt. I art. 2(11)
C14S. 42(2) extended by S.I. 1989/846 (N.I. 6), Pt. I art. 2(4)
C15S. 42(3) extended by S.I. 1986/594 (N.I. 3), art 2(3)
C16S. 42(3) extended (21.8.1991) by S.I. 1991/1220 (N.I. 11), arts. 1(2), 2(3).
Marginal Citations
(1)This Act may be cited as the Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973.
(2)In this Act—
“the appointed day” means the day appointed under section 2 above for the commencement of Part II of this Act;
F44. . .
F44. . .
“enactment” includes an enactment of the Parliament of Northern Ireland;
“functions” includes powers and duties;
F44. . .
“Northern Ireland” has the same meaning as for the purposes of the M6Government of Ireland Act 1920;
“Northern Ireland executive authorities” has the meaning given in section 7(6) above;
F44. . .
F44. . .
F45(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(4)Any reference in this Act to any enactment is a reference to that enactment as amended by, and includes a reference to that enactment as extended or applied by, any other enactment including this Act.
(5)Part I of this Act and, except where otherwise stated, Parts IV and V of this Act shall come into force at the passing of this Act.
(6)Part III of this Act shall come into force on a day specified in an order made by the Secretary of State by statutory instrument, and different days may be specified under this subsection for different provisions of Part III.
Textual Amendments
F44Definitions in s. 43(2) repealed (2.12.1999) by S.I. 1999/663, arts. 1(2), 2(2), Sch. 2
F45S. 43(3) repealed (2.12.1999) by S.I. 1999/663, arts. 1(2), 2(2), Sch. 2
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C171.9.1973 appointed under s. 43(6) by S.I. 1973/1418
Marginal Citations
Section 1.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F46Sch. 1 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
Section 2.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F47Sch. 2 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
Sections 2 and 3.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F51Sch. 3 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
Section 8.
Textual Amendments
F57Sch. 4 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
I swear by Almighty God [or affirm] that I will uphold the laws of Northern Ireland and conscientiously fulfil [as a member of the Northern Ireland Executive] my duties under the Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973 in the interests of Northern Ireland and its people.
Section 40.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F58Sch. 5 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
Section 41.
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C19 The text of ss. 30(3), 41(1) and Sch. 6 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.
Sch. 6 Pt. I: saving in respect of orders made under 1920 c. 67, s. 69 repealed (31.7.1998) in so far as it relates to S.R. & O. 1922/80
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