Northern Ireland Act 1998

Part III U.K. Proceedings in England and Wales

Application of Part III U.K.

11 U.K. This Part of this Schedule applies in relation to devolution issues in proceedings in England and Wales.

Institution of proceedings U.K.

12 (1) Proceedings for the determination of a devolution issue may be instituted F1 ... by the Attorney General. U.K.

(2) The Attorney General for Northern Ireland F1 ... may defend any such proceedings.

(3) This paragraph is without prejudice to any power to institute or defend proceedings exercisable apart from this paragraph by any person.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in Sch. 10 para. 12 repealed (1.3.2010) by Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 (c. 26), s. 87(1), Sch. 13; S.R. 2010/52, art. 2(e)

Notice of devolution issue U.K.

13 U.K. A court or tribunal shall order notice of any devolution issue which arises in any proceedings before it to be given to the Attorney General [F2 and the Attorney General for Northern Ireland] (unless the person to whom the notice would be given is a party to the proceedings).

Textual Amendments

F2 Words in Sch. 10 para. 13 substituted (12.4.2010) by Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 (c. 26), s. 87(1), Sch. 7 para. 2(4); S.R. 2010/113, art. 2, Sch. para. 19(a)

14 U.K. A person to whom notice is given in pursuance of paragraph 13 F3 ... may take part as a party in the proceedings, so far as they relate to a devolution issue.

Textual Amendments

F3 Words in Sch. 10 para. 14 repealed (1.3.2010) by Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 (c. 26), s. 87(1), Sch. 13; S.R. 2010/52, art. 2(e)

Reference of devolution issue to High Court or Court of Appeal U.K.

15 U.K. A magistrates’ court may refer any devolution issue which arises in proceedings (other than criminal proceedings) before it to the High Court.

16 (1) A court may refer any devolution issue which arises in proceedings (other than criminal proceedings) before it to the Court of Appeal. U.K.

(2) Sub-paragraph (1) does not apply to—

(a) a magistrates’ court, the Court of Appeal or the [F4 Supreme Court]; or

(b) the High Court if the devolution issue arises in proceedings on a reference under paragraph 15.

Textual Amendments

F4 Words in Sch. 10 para. 16(2)(a) substituted (1.10.2009) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 40, 148, Sch. 9 para. 116(2); S.I. 2009/1604, art. 2(a)(d)

17 U.K. A tribunal from which there is no appeal shall refer any devolution issue which arises in proceedings before it to the Court of Appeal; and any other tribunal may make such a reference.

18 U.K. A court, other than the [F5 Supreme Court] or the Court of Appeal, may refer any devolution issue which arises in criminal proceedings before it to—

(a) the High Court (if the proceedings are summary proceedings); or

(b) the Court of Appeal (if the proceedings are proceedings on indictment).

Textual Amendments

F5 Words in Sch. 10 para. 18 substituted (1.10.2009) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 40, 148, Sch. 9 para. 116(3); S.I. 2009/1604, art. 2(a)(d)

References from Court of Appeal to [F6 Supreme Court] U.K.

Textual Amendments

F6 Words in Sch. 10 cross-heading preceding para. 19 substituted (1.10.2009) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 40, 148, Sch. 9 para. 116(4); S.I. 2009/1604, art. 2(a)(d)

19 U.K. The Court of Appeal may refer any devolution issue which arises in proceedings before it (otherwise than on a reference under paragraph 16, 17 or 18) to the [F7 Supreme Court] .

Textual Amendments

F7 Words in Sch. 10 para. 19 substituted (1.10.2009) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 40, 148, Sch. 9 para. 116(5); S.I. 2009/1604, art. 2(a)(d)

Appeals from superior courts to [F8 Supreme Court] U.K.

Textual Amendments

F8 Words in Sch. 10 cross-heading preceding para. 20 substituted (1.10.2009) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 40, 148, Sch. 9 para. 116(6); S.I. 2009/1604, art. 2(a)(d)

20 U.K. An appeal against a determination of a devolution issue by the High Court or the Court of Appeal on a reference under paragraph 15, 16, 17 or 18 shall lie to the [F9 Supreme Court] , but only with [F10 permission] of the High Court or the Court of Appeal or, failing such [F10 permission] , with [F11 permission] of the [F9 Supreme Court] .

Textual Amendments

F9 Words in Sch. 10 para. 20 substituted (1.10.2009) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 40, 148, Sch. 9 para. 116(7)(a); S.I. 2009/1604, art. 2(a)(d)

F10 Words in Sch. 10 para. 20 substituted (1.10.2009) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 40, 148, Sch. 9 para. 116(7)(b); S.I. 2009/1604, art. 2(a)(d)

F11 Words in Sch. 10 para. 20 substituted (1.10.2009) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 40, 148, Sch. 9 para. 116(7)(c); S.I. 2009/1604, art. 2(a)(d)