6.—(1) The Sex Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 1976(1) is amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (4).
(2) In Article 76 (1), (3) and (4) for “An industrial tribunal” substitute “Subject to Article 76A, an industrial tribunal”.
(3) In Article 76 (2) for “A county court” substitute “Subject to Article 76A, a county court”.
(4) After Article 76 insert—
76A.—(1) Paragraph (2) applies where—
(a)there is mediation in relation to a relevant cross border dispute giving rise to proceedings under this Order; and
(b)a period of time referred to in Article 76 (“the limitation period”) would, apart from this Article, expire—
(i)in the period of 8 weeks after the date on which the mediation ends;
(ii)on the date on which the mediation ends; or
(ii)after the date on which all of the parties to the dispute agree to participate in the mediation but before the date on which the mediation ends.
(2) Where this paragraph applies, the limitation period is extended so that it expires on the date falling 8 weeks after the date on which the mediation ends.
(3) For the purposes of paragraph (1) and (2), a mediation in relation to a relevant cross-border dispute ends on the date of the first of these to occur—
(a)all of the parties reach an agreement in resolution of the dispute;
(b)all of the parties agree to end the mediation;
(c)a party notifies all of the other parties of that party’s withdrawal,
(d)a period of 14 days expires after a request made by one party to another party for confirmation of whether the other party has withdrawn and the other party does not respond in that period, or
(e)a period of 14 days expires after the date on which the mediator’s tenure ends (by reason of death, resignation or otherwise) and a replacement mediator has not been appointed in that period.
(4) In this Article—
“the Directive” means Directive 2008/52/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21st May 2008 on certain aspects of mediation in civil and commercial matters;
“mediation” and “mediator” have the meanings given by Article 3 of the Directive; and
“relevant cross-border dispute” means a cross-border dispute within the meaning given by Article 2 of the Directive.”.
Commencement Information
I1Reg. 6 in operation at 18.4.2011, see reg. 1(1)