The Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 2004

Appeal from decision of Chief ConstableN.I.

This section has no associated Explanatory Memorandum

74.—(1) A person aggrieved by a decision of the Chief Constable under this Order may appeal to the [F1relevant authority] if it is a decision to which this Article applies.

(2) On an appeal under this Article the [F2relevant authority may make such order as the relevant authority] thinks fit having regard to the circumstances.

(3) This Article applies to the following decisions of the Chief Constable under this Order—

(a)a refusal to grant or vary any certificate;

(b)a revocation of a certificate;

(c)a condition attached to any certificate or the variation of such a condition;

(d)a requirement to surrender a certificate of approval under Article 17(3) or 18(2);

(e)an order under Article 72(4).

(4) In this Article—

  • “certificate”, except in the expression “certificate of approval”, includes a permit or authorisation under this Order;

  • “grant” includes issue;

  • “revocation” includes—

    (a)

    in relation to a firearm certificate, partial revocation under Article 9;

    (b)

    in relation to a firearms dealer's certificate, the removal of a place of business under Article 32;

  • “vary any certificate”, in relation to a firearms dealer's certificate, includes adding a place of business under Article 31.

[F3(5) In this Article “the relevant authority” means—

(a)the Secretary of State, in any case where the Chief Constable's decision was taken wholly or partly on the basis of information the disclosure of which may, in the view of the Secretary of State or of the Chief Constable, be against the interests of national security;

(b)the Department of Justice, in any other case.

(6) Where the Chief Constable makes a decision within paragraph (3)(a) to (d), he must notify (as the case may be)—

(a)the applicant, or

(b)the holder of the certificate,

who the relevant authority is for the purposes of any appeal against the decision.

(7) An order under Article 72(4) must be accompanied by a written statement by the Chief Constable specifying who the relevant authority is for the purposes of any appeal against the order.]