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The Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989
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Changes over time for: Section 56
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Changes to legislation:
The Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989, Section 56 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 01 December 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.
Changes to Legislation
Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the legislation in the affected provisions. Use the ‘more’ link to open the changes and effects relevant to the provision you are viewing.
Changes and effects yet to be applied to Article 56:
- Sch. 2A para. 1(4) inserted by 2015 c. 9 (N.I.) s. 83(3)(a)(ii)
- Sch. 2A para. 2(2)(c) and word inserted by 2015 c. 9 (N.I.) s. 83(3)(b)(ii)
- Sch. 2A para. 9(4) inserted by 2015 c. 9 (N.I.) s. 83(3)(c)(ii)
- Sch. 2A para. 10(5) inserted by 2015 c. 9 (N.I.) s. 83(3)(d)(ii)
- Sch. 2A para. 2(2)(b) words substituted by 2015 c. 9 (N.I.) s. 83(3)(b)(i)
- Order applied by 2016 c. 18 (N.I.) s. 150(1)(a)
- Order excluded by 2012 c. 9 Sch. 1 para. 7(5)
- Order extended by 2003 c. 6 Sch. 4 para. 23A (as inserted) by S.I. 2007/912 (N.I.) Sch. 4 para. 5
- art. 62(10(ab) words substituted in earlier affecting provision 2015 c. 9 (N.I.), Sch. 2 para. 6(3)(b) by 2022 c. 4 (N.I.) s. 4(9)(e)
- various legislation applied by 2016 c. 18 (N.I.) s. 161(2)(a)
- art. 3(9ZA)(9ZB) inserted by 2019 c. 17 s. 12(5)
- art. 19(1)(cc) inserted by S.I. 2007/916 (N.I.) art. 18(2)
- art. 53(3A)(3B) inserted by 2013 c. 7 (N.I.) Sch. 3 para. 1(3)
- art. 53(3A) inserted by 2010 c. 17 s. 15(4)
- art. 53(4) inserted by 2010 c. 17 s. 9(6)
- art. 53B inserted by 2013 c. 7 (N.I.) Sch. 3 para. 3
- art. 56 extended by 2003 c. 6 Sch. 4 para. 23C(a) (as inserted) by S.I. 2007/912 (N.I.) Sch. 4 para. 5
- art. 56(1)(a) applied (with modifications) by 2016 c. 18 (N.I.) s. 155(a)
- art. 56(1)(a)(ii) applied (with modifications) by 2016 c. 18 (N.I.) s. 155(b)
- art. 56(1)(b) applied (with modifications) by 2016 c. 18 (N.I.) s. 155(c)
- art. 56(3A)-(4) applied (with modifications) by 2016 c. 18 (N.I.) s. 155(c)
- art. 56(9) applied (with modifications) by 2016 c. 18 (N.I.) s. 155(c)
- art. 56(10A) applied (with modifications) by 2016 c. 18 (N.I.) s. 155(c)
- art. 56(12)(a)(iii) applied (with modifications) by 2016 c. 18 (N.I.) s. 155(c)
- art. 56(13A) applied (with modifications) by 2016 c. 18 (N.I.) s. 155(c)
- art. 56(13A)(a) words inserted by 2015 c. 9 (N.I.) Sch. 2 para. 6(1)(a)
- art. 56(13A)(b)(iii) and word substituted for word by 2015 c. 9 (N.I.) Sch. 2 para. 6(1)(b)
- art. 56(13A)(b)(iii) words substituted in earlier affecting provision 2015 c. 9 (N.I.), Sch. 2 para. 6(1)(b) by 2022 c. 4 (N.I.) s. 4(9)(e)
- art. 56A(9)(b)(iii) and word substituted for word by 2015 c. 9 (N.I.) Sch. 2 para. 6(2)(b)
- art. 56A(9)(b)(iii) words substituted in earlier affecting provision 2015 c. 9 (N.I.), Sch. 2 para. 6(2)(b) by 2022 c. 4 (N.I.) s. 4(9)(e)
- art. 61(5A) inserted by 2010 c. 17 s. 8(1)
- art. 61(5A)(b) words substituted by 2015 c. 9 (N.I.) s. 83(1)(a)
- art. 61(5B) inserted by 2010 c. 17 s. 8(2)
- art. 61(5B)(b) words substituted by 2015 c. 9 (N.I.) s. 83(1)(a)
- art. 61(5C) inserted by 2015 c. 9 (N.I.) s. 83(1)(b)
- art. 61(6)-(6ZD) substituted for art. 61(6) by 2010 c. 17 s. 8(3)
- art. 61(6D)-(6G) inserted by 2010 c. 17 s. 9(1)
- art. 62(2A) (2B) inserted by 2010 c. 17 s. 9(2)
- art. 62(10)(ab) inserted by 2015 c. 9 (N.I.) Sch. 2 para. 6(3)(b)
- art. 62(10)(ab) words substituted in earlier affecting provision 2015 c. 9 (N.I.), Sch. 2 para. 6(3)(b) by 2022 c. 4 (N.I.) s. 4(9)(e)
- art. 63(3A)(c)(i) word substituted by 2013 c. 7 (N.I.) Sch. 3 para. 4
- art. 63(3B)-(3BD) substituted for art. 63(3B) by 2010 c. 17 s. 8(7)
- art. 63(3D)-(3G) inserted by 2010 c. 17 s. 9(4)
- art. 63(3AA) inserted by 2015 c. 9 (N.I.) s. 83(2)(c)
- art. 63(3ZA) inserted by 2010 c. 17 s. 8(5)
- art. 63(3ZA)(b)(iii) and word inserted by 2015 c. 9 (N.I.) s. 83(2)(a)
- art. 63A(1E) (1F) inserted by 2010 c. 17 s. 11(1)
- art. 63B-63R inserted by 2013 c. 7 (N.I.) Sch. 2
- art. 63D(1)(a) substituted by 2019 c. 3 Sch. 2 para. 5(2)(a)
- art. 63D(14) words inserted by 2019 c. 3 Sch. 2 para. 5(2)(b)
- art. 63N substituted by 2015 c. 9 (N.I.) s. 86
- art. 63R(4A) inserted by 2019 c. 3 Sch. 4 para. 20(9)
- art. 63R(5) words substituted by 2015 c. 9 (N.I.) s. 87(a)
- art. 63R(5A)(5B) inserted by 2015 c. 9 (N.I.) s. 87(b)
- art. 63DA inserted by 2019 c. 3 Sch. 2 para. 5(3)
- art. 63GA inserted by 2015 c. 9 (N.I.) s. 84
- art. 63KA inserted by 2015 c. 9 (N.I.) s. 85
- art. 64(1AB) inserted by 2008 c. 28 s. 15(5)
- art. 89(2A) inserted by 2013 c. 7 (N.I.) Sch. 3 para. 5
Changes and effects yet to be applied to the whole Order associated Parts and Chapters:
- Order applied by 2016 c. 18 (N.I.) s. 150(1)(a)
- Order excluded by 2012 c. 9 Sch. 1 para. 7(5)
- Order extended by 2003 c. 6 Sch. 4 para. 23A (as inserted) by S.I. 2007/912 (N.I.) Sch. 4 para. 5
Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Order (including any effects on those provisions):
- Sch. 2A para. 1(4) inserted by 2015 c. 9 (N.I.) s. 83(3)(a)(ii)
- Sch. 2A para. 2(2)(c) and word inserted by 2015 c. 9 (N.I.) s. 83(3)(b)(ii)
- Sch. 2A para. 9(4) inserted by 2015 c. 9 (N.I.) s. 83(3)(c)(ii)
- Sch. 2A para. 10(5) inserted by 2015 c. 9 (N.I.) s. 83(3)(d)(ii)
- Sch. 2A para. 2(2)(b) words substituted by 2015 c. 9 (N.I.) s. 83(3)(b)(i)
- art. 62(10(ab) words substituted in earlier affecting provision 2015 c. 9 (N.I.), Sch. 2 para. 6(3)(b) by 2022 c. 4 (N.I.) s. 4(9)(e)
- art. 3(9ZA)(9ZB) inserted by 2019 c. 17 s. 12(5)
- art. 19(1)(cc) inserted by S.I. 2007/916 (N.I.) art. 18(2)
- art. 53(3A)(3B) inserted by 2013 c. 7 (N.I.) Sch. 3 para. 1(3)
- art. 53(3A) inserted by 2010 c. 17 s. 15(4)
- art. 53(4) inserted by 2010 c. 17 s. 9(6)
- art. 53B inserted by 2013 c. 7 (N.I.) Sch. 3 para. 3
- art. 56(13A)(b)(iii) and word substituted for word by 2015 c. 9 (N.I.) Sch. 2 para. 6(1)(b)
- art. 56(13A)(b)(iii) words substituted in earlier affecting provision 2015 c. 9 (N.I.), Sch. 2 para. 6(1)(b) by 2022 c. 4 (N.I.) s. 4(9)(e)
- art. 56A(9)(b)(iii) and word substituted for word by 2015 c. 9 (N.I.) Sch. 2 para. 6(2)(b)
- art. 56A(9)(b)(iii) words substituted in earlier affecting provision 2015 c. 9 (N.I.), Sch. 2 para. 6(2)(b) by 2022 c. 4 (N.I.) s. 4(9)(e)
- art. 61(5A) inserted by 2010 c. 17 s. 8(1)
- art. 61(5A)(b) words substituted by 2015 c. 9 (N.I.) s. 83(1)(a)
- art. 61(5B) inserted by 2010 c. 17 s. 8(2)
- art. 61(5B)(b) words substituted by 2015 c. 9 (N.I.) s. 83(1)(a)
- art. 61(5C) inserted by 2015 c. 9 (N.I.) s. 83(1)(b)
- art. 61(6)-(6ZD) substituted for art. 61(6) by 2010 c. 17 s. 8(3)
- art. 61(6D)-(6G) inserted by 2010 c. 17 s. 9(1)
- art. 62(2A) (2B) inserted by 2010 c. 17 s. 9(2)
- art. 62(10)(ab) inserted by 2015 c. 9 (N.I.) Sch. 2 para. 6(3)(b)
- art. 62(10)(ab) words substituted in earlier affecting provision 2015 c. 9 (N.I.), Sch. 2 para. 6(3)(b) by 2022 c. 4 (N.I.) s. 4(9)(e)
- art. 63(3A)(c)(i) word substituted by 2013 c. 7 (N.I.) Sch. 3 para. 4
- art. 63(3B)-(3BD) substituted for art. 63(3B) by 2010 c. 17 s. 8(7)
- art. 63(3D)-(3G) inserted by 2010 c. 17 s. 9(4)
- art. 63(3AA) inserted by 2015 c. 9 (N.I.) s. 83(2)(c)
- art. 63(3ZA) inserted by 2010 c. 17 s. 8(5)
- art. 63(3ZA)(b)(iii) and word inserted by 2015 c. 9 (N.I.) s. 83(2)(a)
- art. 63A(1E) (1F) inserted by 2010 c. 17 s. 11(1)
- art. 63B-63R inserted by 2013 c. 7 (N.I.) Sch. 2
- art. 63D(1)(a) substituted by 2019 c. 3 Sch. 2 para. 5(2)(a)
- art. 63D(14) words inserted by 2019 c. 3 Sch. 2 para. 5(2)(b)
- art. 63N substituted by 2015 c. 9 (N.I.) s. 86
- art. 63R(4A) inserted by 2019 c. 3 Sch. 4 para. 20(9)
- art. 63R(5) words substituted by 2015 c. 9 (N.I.) s. 87(a)
- art. 63R(5A)(5B) inserted by 2015 c. 9 (N.I.) s. 87(b)
- art. 63DA inserted by 2019 c. 3 Sch. 2 para. 5(3)
- art. 63GA inserted by 2015 c. 9 (N.I.) s. 84
- art. 63KA inserted by 2015 c. 9 (N.I.) s. 85
- art. 64(1AB) inserted by 2008 c. 28 s. 15(5)
- art. 89(2A) inserted by 2013 c. 7 (N.I.) Sch. 3 para. 5
Intimate searchesN.I.
56.—F1(1) Subject to the following provisions of this Article, if an officer of at least the rank of [F2inspector] has reasonable grounds for believing—
(a)that a person who has been arrested and is in police detention may have concealed on him anything which—
(i)he could use to cause physical injury to himself or others; and
(ii)he might so use while he is in police detention or in the custody of a court; or
(b)that such a person—
(i)may have a Class A drug concealed on him; and
(ii)was in possession of it with the appropriate criminal intent before his arrest,
he may authorise an intimate search of that person.
(2) An officer may not authorise an intimate search of a person for anything unless he has reasonable grounds for believing that it cannot be found without his being intimately searched.
(3) An officer may give an authorisation under paragraph (1) orally or in writing but, if he gives it orally, he shall confirm it in writing as soon as practicable.
[F3(3A) A drug offence search shall not be carried out unless the appropriate consent has been given in writing.
(3B) Where it is proposed that a drug offence search be carried out, a constable shall inform the person who is to be subject to it—
(a)of the giving of the authorisation for it; and
(b)of the grounds for giving the authorisation.]
(4) An intimate search which is only a drug offence search shall be by way of examination by a suitably qualified person.
(5) Except as provided by paragraph (4), an intimate search shall be by way of examination by a suitably qualified person unless an officer of at least the rank of [F4inspector] considers that this is not practicable.
(6) An intimate search which is not carried out as mentioned in paragraph (5) shall be carried out by a constable.
(7) A constable may not carry out an intimate search of a person of the opposite sex.
(8) No intimate search may be carried out except—
(a)at a police station;
(b)at a hospital;
(c)at a medical practitioner's surgery; or
(d)at some other place used for medical purposes.
(9) An intimate search which is only a drug offence search may not be carried out at a police station.
(10) If an intimate search of a person is carried out, the custody record relating to him shall state—
(a)which parts of his body were searched; and
(b)why they were searched.
[F5(10A) If the intimate search is a drug offence search, the custody record relating to that person shall also state—
(a)the authorisation by virtue of which the search was carried out;
(b)the grounds for giving the authorisation; and
(c)the fact that the appropriate consent was given.]
(11) The information required to be recorded by[F6paragraphs (10) and (10A)] shall be recorded as soon as practicable after the completion of the search.
(12) The custody officer at a police station may seize and retain anything which is found on an intimate search of a person, or cause any such thing to be seized and retained—
(a)if he believes that the person from whom it is seized may use it—
(i)to cause physical injury to himself or any other person;
(ii)to damage property;
(iii)to interfere with evidence; or
(iv)to assist him to escape; or
(b)if he has reasonable grounds for believing that it may be evidence relating to an offence.
(13) Where anything is seized under this Article, the person from whom it is seized shall be told the reason for the seizure unless he is—
(a)violent or likely to become violent; or
(b)incapable of understanding what is said to him.
[F7(13A) Where the appropriate consent to a drug offence search of any person was refused without good cause, in any proceedings against that person for an offence—
(a)the court, in determining whether to commit the accused for trial or whether there is a case to answer;
(b)a judge, in deciding whether to grant an application made by the accused under—
(i)Article 5 of the Criminal Justice (Serious Fraud) (Northern Ireland) Order 1988 (application for dismissal of charges where a case of fraud has been transferred from a magistrates' court to the Crown Court under Article 3 of that Order); or
(ii)paragraph 4 of Schedule 1 to the Children's Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 (application for dismissal of charge of violent or sexual offence involving child in respect of which notice of transfer has been given under Article 4 of that Order); and
(c)the court or jury, in determining whether that person is guilty of the offence charged,
may draw such inferences from the refusal as appear proper.]
(14) Every annual report under[F8 section 58(1) of the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000] shall contain information about searches under this Article which have been carried out during the period to which the report relates.
(15) The information about such searches shall include—
(a)the total number of searches;
(b)the number of searches conducted by way of examination by a suitably qualified person;
(c)the number of searches not so conducted but conducted in the presence of such a person; and
(d)the result of the searches carried out.
(16) The information shall also include, as separate items—
(a)the total number of drug offence searches; and
(b)the result of those searches.
(17) In this Article—
“the appropriate criminal intent” means an intent to commit an offence under—
“Class A drug” has the meaning assigned to it by section 2(1)(b) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971;
“drug offence search” means an intimate search for a Class A drug which an officer has authorised by virtue of paragraph (1)(b); and
“suitably qualified person” means—
(a)a medical practitioner; or
(b)a nurse registered as such under section 10(1) of the Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors Act 1979F11.
F1mod. by SI 2003/3107
F2Word in art. 56(1) substituted (1.3.2007) by Police and Criminal Evidence (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/288 (N.I. 2)), arts. 1(2), 26(2)
F3Art. 56(3A)(3B) inserted (1.4.2007) by Drugs Act 2005 (c. 17), ss. 4(2), 24(3); S.I. 2007/562, art. 2(1)(a)
F4Word in art. 56(5) substituted (1.3.2007) by Police and Criminal Evidence (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/288 (N.I. 2)), arts. 1(2), 26(2)
F5Art. 56(10A) inserted (1.4.2007) by Drugs Act 2005 (c. 17), ss. 4(3), 24(3); S.I. 2007/562, art. 2(1)(a)
F6Words in art. 56(11) substituted (1.4.2007) by Drugs Act 2005 (c. 17), ss. 4(4), 24(3); S.I. 2007/562, art. 2(1)(a)
F7Art. 56(13A) inserted (1.4.2007) by Drugs Act 2005 (c. 17), ss. 4(5), 24(3); S.I. 2007/562, art. 2(1)(a)
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1Art. 56 applied (with modifications) (1.12.2007) by Police and Criminal Evidence (Application to Revenue and Customs) Order (Northern Ireland) 2007 (S.R. 2007/464), arts. 3-15, Sch. 1, Sch. 2
C2Art. 56 extended by Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2003 (c. 6), Sch. 2 para. 20D(a) (as inserted (22.4.2007) by Policing (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/912 (N.I. 6)), arts. 1(3), 4, Sch. 2 para. 2)
C3Art. 56 extended by Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2003 (c. 6), Sch. 4 para. 23C(a) (as inserted (prosp.) by Policing (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/912 (N.I. 6)), arts. 1(2), 6(2), Sch. 4 para. 5)
C4Art. 56 applied (with modifications) (18.5.2009) by Police and Criminal Evidence (Application to the Police Ombudsman) Order (Northern Ireland) 2009 (S.R. 2009/142), art. 3, Sch. 1, Sch. 2
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