Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973

1973 CHAPTER 36

An Act to make new provision for the government of Northern Ireland.

[18th July 1973]

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Act amended by Patents, Designs and Marks Act 1986 (c. 39, SIF 67A), s. 2(2)

C2 Act amended by Social Security Act 1990 (c. 27, SIF 113:1), s. 22(2)

C3 Act amended (1.8.1991) by Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 (c. 37, SIF 83:1), s. 48(2)(with ss. 39(3), 43(2)); S.I. 1991/1400, art. 2(2)

C4 Act excluded by Environmental Protection Act 1990 (c. 43, SIF 46:4), ss. 3(8), 153(5)

C5 Act amended (1.9.1992) by Child Support Act 1991 (c. 48, SIF 20), s. 23(4), (with s. 9(2)); S.I. 1992/1938, art.2

C6 Act amended (25.10.1993) by 1993 c. 39, s. 63(2), S.I. 1993/2632, art. 2

C7 Act amended (7.2.1994) by 1993 c. 48. ss. 187(1); S.I. 1994/86, art. 2

Commencement Information

I1 Act partly in force at Royal Assent; Act wholly in force at 1.1.1974 see ss. 2, 43(5).

Part I U.K. Preliminary

Status of Northern Ireland U.K.

F1 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 1 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

Devolution orders U.K.

F2 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F2 S. 2 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

F3 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F3 S. 3 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

Part II U.K. Legislative Powers and Executive Authorities

Legislative powers U.K.

F4 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F4 S. 4 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

F5 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F5 S. 5 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

F6 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F6 S. 6 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

Executive authorities U.K.

F7 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F7 S. 7 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

F8 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F8 S. 8 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

F9 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F9 S. 9 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

10 Attorney General for Northern Ireland. U.K.

(1) The Attorney General for England and Wales shall by virtue of that office be Attorney General for Northern Ireland also, and he and the Solicitor General shall by virtue of membership of the bar of England and Wales have in Northern Ireland the same rights of audience as members of the bar of Northern Ireland.

F10 (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F10 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F11

Textual Amendments

F10 S. 10(2)(3) repealed (30.9.1997) by 1997 c. 60, s. 3(2), Sch.

F11 S. 10(4) repealed by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1981 (c. 19), Sch. 1 Pt. IV

F12 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F12 S. 11 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

Relations with Republic of Ireland U.K.

F13 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F13 S. 12 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, ss. 100(2), Sch. 15 (with Sch. 14 para. 20); S.I. 1999, art. 2, Sch.

Financial provisions U.K.

F14 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F14 S. 13 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

F15 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F15 S. 14 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, ss. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

F16 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F16 S. 15 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

F17 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F17 S. 16 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

Part III U.K. Prevention of Religious and Political Discrimination

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C8 Pt. III (ss. 17-23) modified (N.I.) (1.7.1992) by Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 (c. 8), ss. 167(2), 168(4) (with ss. 153(5), 161, Sch. 6 para. 1(7))

C9 Pt. III (ss. 17-23) modified (N.I.) (7.2.1994) by 1993 c. 49, ss. 176(8), 186(2)

F18 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F18 S. 17 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15 (with Sch. 14 para. 21); S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

F19 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F19 S. 18 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15 (with Sch. 14 para. 21); S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

F20 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F20 S. 19 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15 (with Sch. 14 para. 22); S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

F21 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F21 S. 20 repealed (1.3.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/340, art. 2, Sch. Pt. III

F22 21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F22 S. 21 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

F23 22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F23 S. 22 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

F24 23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F24 S. 23 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

Part IV U.K. The Northern Ireland Assembly

F25 24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F25 S. 24 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, ss. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

F26 25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F26 S. 25 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

F27 26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F27 S. 26 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

F28 27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F28 S. 27 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

F29 28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F29 S. 28 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

F30 29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F30 S. 29 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

F31 30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F31 S. 30 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

Part V U.K. Miscellaneous and Supplementary

31

F32 (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F32 (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F32 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F33 (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F33 (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F33 (6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F32 S. 31(1)-(3) repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

F33 S. 31(4)-(6) repealed (19.11.1998) by 1998 c. 47, ss. 100(1), 101(2), Sch. 15

F34 32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F34 S. 32 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(1), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

33 Preservation of pension rights of former members of Parliament of Northern Ireland and former Ministers. U.K.

F35 (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2) Save as aforesaid and without prejudice to any provision made under this Act, nothing in this Act affects any pension payable under the said Act of 1965 or section 1 of the M1 Ministerial Offices Act (Northern Ireland) 1952 the right to which has accrued before the passing of this Act or accrues upon a person ceasing to be a member of the Parliament of Northern Ireland by reason of section 31 above.

Textual Amendments

F35 S. 33(1) repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

Marginal Citations

M1 1952 c. 15 (N.I.)

34 Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland. U.K.

(1) As from the appointed day the M2 Prosecution of Offences (Northern Ireland) Order 1972 (which establishes and makes provision for the office of Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland) shall have effect subject to the following provisions of this section.

(2) Any appointment to the office of Director or deputy Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland shall be made by the Attorney General for Northern Ireland; and the Attorney General for Northern Ireland may remove the Director or deputy Director on the ground of inability or misbehaviour.

(3) In Article 4(2)(b) and (c) (provisions as to resignation and retirement) for references to the Governor of Northern Ireland there shall be substituted references to the Attorney General for Northern Ireland.

(4) Article 3(2) (which places the Director under the superintendence of the Attorney General so long as section 1 of the M3 Northern Ireland (Temporary Provisions) Act 1972 has effect) shall continue to apply after that section ceases to have effect.

(5) Any reference in Article 4 or 8 to the Ministry of Home Affairs or the Ministry of Finance shall, as respects anything falling to be done after the appointed day, be construed as a reference to the Secretary of State.

Marginal Citations

M2 S.I. 1972/538.

M3 1972 c. 22.

35 Crown Solicitor for Northern Ireland. U.K.

(1) As from the appointed day there shall be a Crown Solicitor for Northern Ireland appointed by the Attorney General for Northern Ireland.

(2) The Crown Solicitor shall hold office on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Attorney General for Northern Ireland.

(3) The services of the Crown Solicitor shall be available to any Minister or department of the Government of the United Kingdom and, with the approval of the Attorney General for Northern Ireland and on such terms as he may determine, to any Northern Ireland executive authority.

(4) The remuneration of, and other expenses incurred in connection with, the Crown Solicitor shall be defrayed out of moneys provided by Parliament.

36 Provisions as to other Northern Ireland officers. U.K.

(1) Any appointment on or after the appointed day to the office of—

[F36 (a) Assembly Ombudsman for Northern Ireland;]

(b) Northern Ireland Commissioner for Complaints;

(c) Civil Service Commissioner for Northern Ireland;

F37 (d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

shall be made by Her Majesty.

F38 (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F38 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F38 (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5) Her Majesty may by Order in Council make provision with respect to the appointment of lord-lieutenants, lieutenants and deputy lieutenants in Northern Ireland, for conferring on them functions which apart from the Order would be exercisable by lieutenants in Northern Ireland, for altering the designation of vice-lieutenants in Northern Ireland and for matters incidental to or consequential on any provision so made, including the amendment or repeal of any enactment passed before this Act.

(6) An Order in Council under subsection (5) above may be varied or revoked by a subsequent Order.

Textual Amendments

F36 S. 36(1)(a) substituted (16.7.1996) by S.I. 1996/1298 (NI 8), art. 21(1), Sch. 5

F37 S. 36(1)(d) repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(1), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

F38 S. 36(2)(3)(4) repealed (16.7.1996) by S.I. 1996/1298 (NI 8), art. 21(2), Sch. 6

37 Provisions as to Joint Exchequer Board and other financial matters. U.K.

F39 (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2) Any sums which, apart from this Act, would be payable into the Consolidated Fund of the United Kingdom by virtue of section 22(1) of the M4 Government of Ireland Act 1920 (reserved taxes) shall continue to be so paid; and, subject to subsection (3) below, any sums which, apart from this Act, would be payable into the Consolidated Fund of Northern Ireland by virtue of section 21(1) of that Act (transferred taxes) shall continue to be so paid.

(3) There shall be paid into the Consolidated Fund of the United Kingdom, as from such date as the Treasury may by order direct, the proceeds of any tax specified in the order which would otherwise be paid into the Consolidated Fund of Northern Ireland.

(4) The power to make orders under subsection (3) above includes power to vary or revoke a previous order and shall be exercisable by statutory instrument.

Textual Amendments

F39 S. 37(1) repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

Marginal Citations

M4 1920 c. 67.

F40 38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F40 S. 38 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

F41 39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F41 S. 39 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

F42 40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F42 S. 40 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

41 Repeals. U.K.

(1) The enactments specified in Schedule 6 to this Act are hereby repealed to the extent specified in the third column of that Schedule—

(a) in the case of the enactments in Part I of that Schedule, as from the passing of this Act;

(b) in the case of those in Part II, as from the appointed day.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the powers conferred by section 39 above, an Order in Council under that section may repeal or revoke any existing statutory provision (as defined in section 40 above) which appears to Her Majesty to be unnecessary in consequence of, or inconsistent with, any provision of this Act.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C10 The text of ss. 30(3), 41(1) and Sch. 6 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

42 Saving for existing laws. U.K.

(1) Except so far as otherwise provided by or under this Act, nothing in this Act shall affect the continued operation in or in relation to Northern Ireland of any law in force at the passing of this Act or on the appointed day.

(2) Without prejudice to subsection (1) above, neither the abolition of the Parliament of Northern Ireland nor the repeal by this Act of any provision relating to that Parliament shall affect the validity or otherwise of any Act of that Parliament.

(3) Neither the abolition of the Parliament of Northern Ireland or of the office of Governor of Northern Ireland nor the repeal by this Act of any provision relating to that Parliament or office shall affect the operation of the M5 Northern Ireland (Temporary Provisions) Act 1972 or the validity of any Order in Council made under section 1(3) of that Act; F43 . . .

Textual Amendments

F43 Words in s. 42(3) repealed (2.12.1999) by S.I. 1999/663, art. 2(2), Sch. 2

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C11 S. 42 extended by S.I. 1986/1032 (N.I. 6), art. 2(4)

C12 S. 42 amended by S.I. 1989/1339 (N.I. 11), art. 2(10)

C13 S. 42 extended by S.I. 1990/594 (N.I. 6), Pt. I art. 2(11)

C14 S. 42(2) extended by S.I. 1989/846 (N.I. 6), Pt. I art. 2(4)

C15 S. 42(3) extended by S.I. 1986/594 (N.I. 3), art 2(3)

C16 S. 42(3) extended (21.8.1991) by S.I. 1991/1220 (N.I. 11), arts. 1(2), 2(3).

Marginal Citations

M5 1972 c. 22.

43 Short title, interpretation and commencement. U.K.

(1) This Act may be cited as the Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973.

(2) In this Act—

• “the appointed day” means the day appointed under section 2 above for the commencement of Part II of this Act;

• F44 . . .

• F44 . . .

• “enactment” includes an enactment of the Parliament of Northern Ireland;

• “functions” includes powers and duties;

• F44 . . .

• “Northern Ireland” has the same meaning as for the purposes of the M6 Government of Ireland Act 1920;

• “Northern Ireland executive authorities” has the meaning given in section 7(6) above;

• F44 . . .

• F44 . . .

F45 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4) Any reference in this Act to any enactment is a reference to that enactment as amended by, and includes a reference to that enactment as extended or applied by, any other enactment including this Act.

(5) Part I of this Act and, except where otherwise stated, Parts IV and V of this Act shall come into force at the passing of this Act.

(6) Part III of this Act shall come into force on a day specified in an order made by the Secretary of State by statutory instrument, and different days may be specified under this subsection for different provisions of Part III.

Textual Amendments

F44 Definitions in s. 43(2) repealed (2.12.1999) by S.I. 1999/663, arts. 1(2), 2(2), Sch. 2

F45 S. 43(3) repealed (2.12.1999) by S.I. 1999/663, arts. 1(2), 2(2), Sch. 2

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C17 1.9.1973 appointed under s. 43(6) by S.I. 1973/1418

Marginal Citations

M6 1920 c. 67.

SCHEDULES

Section 1.

F46 SCHEDULE 1 U.K. Polls for Purposes of Section 1

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F46 Sch. 1 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

Section 2.

F47 SCHEDULE 2 U.K. Excepted Matters

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F47 Sch. 2 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

Sections 2 and 3.

F51 SCHEDULE 3 U.K. Minimum Reserved Matters on Appointed Day

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F51 Sch. 3 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

Section 8.

F57 SCHEDULE 4 U.K. Form of Oath or Affirmation under Section 8

Textual Amendments

F57 Sch. 4 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

I swear by Almighty God [or affirm] that I will uphold the laws of Northern Ireland and conscientiously fulfil [as a member of the Northern Ireland Executive] my duties under the Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973 in the interests of Northern Ireland and its people.

Section 40.

F58 SCHEDULE 5 U.K. General Adaptation of References to Institutions and Offices Abolished by this Act

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F58 Sch. 5 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

Section 41.

SCHEDULE 6 U.K. Repeals

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C19 The text of ss. 30(3), 41(1) and Sch. 6 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.

Sch. 6 Pt. I: saving in respect of orders made under 1920 c. 67, s. 69 repealed (31.7.1998) in so far as it relates to S.R. & O. 1922/80