(This note is not part of the Rules)
These Rules amend the Magistrates’ Courts (Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982) Rules (Northern Ireland) 1986 (S.R.1986 No.359). The amendments are needed in consequence of the coming into force on 18th June 2011 of Council Regulation (EC) No 4/2009 of 18th December 2008 on jurisdiction, applicable law, recognition and enforcement of decisions and cooperation in matters relating to maintenance obligations. This Regulation applies to all Member States including Denmark by virtue of an Agreement made on 19th October 2005 between the European Community and the Kingdom of Denmark. The Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments (Maintenance) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/1484), which also comes into operation on 18th June 2011, make the main legislative changes needed in respect of the Council Regulation.