This Order brings into operation on 1st May 2015 certain provisions of the Access to Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 regarding criminal defence services.

The provisions are commenced only in respect of appeals, including applications for leave to appeal, brought under Part 1 (appeal to the Court of Appeal from the Crown Court) and Part 2 (appeal to the Supreme Court from the Court of Appeal) of the Criminal Appeal (Northern Ireland) Act 1980, and the other proceedings specified in Schedule 2 to this Order. There are also consequential repeals of legal aid provisions in the 1980 Act.

Free legal aid in respect of criminal proceedings for cases up to and including the Crown Court will continue to be funded under Part 3 of the Legal Aid, Advice and Assistance (Northern Ireland) Order 1981.