Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973

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F1 S. 1 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.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F2 S. 2 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.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F3 S. 3 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.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F4 S. 4 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.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F5 S. 5 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.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F6 S. 6 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.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F7 S. 7 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.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F8 S. 8 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.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F9 S. 9 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.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.

F10 (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F11 (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F11 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F12

Textual Amendments

F10 S. 10(1) repealed (12.4.2010) by Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 (c. 26), s. 87(1), Sch. 13; S.R. 2010/113, art. 2, Sch. para. 21(e)

F11 S. 10(2)(3) repealed (30.9.1997) by 1997 c. 60, s. 3(2), Sch.

F12 S. 10(4) repealed by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1981 (c. 19), Sch. 1 Pt. IV

F13 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F13 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.

F14 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F14 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.

F15 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F15 S. 13 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

F16 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F16 S. 14 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, ss. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

F17 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

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

F18 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F18 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)

C1 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))

C2 Pt. III (ss. 17-23) modified (N.I.) (7.2.1994) by 1993 c. 49, ss. 176(8), 186(2)

F19 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F19 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.

F20 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F20 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.

F21 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F21 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.

F22 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F22 S. 20 repealed (1.3.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/340, art. 2, Sch. Pt. III

F23 21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F23 S. 21 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

F24 22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F24 S. 22 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

F25 23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F25 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

F26 24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F26 S. 24 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, ss. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

F27 25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F27 S. 25 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

F28 26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F28 S. 26 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

F29 27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F29 S. 27 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

F30 28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F30 S. 28 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

F31 29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F31 S. 29 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

F32 30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F32 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

F33 (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F33 (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F33 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F34 (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F34 (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F34 (6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F33 S. 31(1)-(3) repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

F34 S. 31(4)-(6) repealed (19.11.1998) by 1998 c. 47, ss. 100(1), 101(2), Sch. 15

F35 32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F35 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.

F36 (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

F36 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.

F37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F37 S. 34 repealed (13.6.2005) by 2002 c. 26, ss. 86, 87, Sch. 13; S.R. 2005/281, art. 2, Sch. 1 para. 14(b)

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 [F38 Advocate General for Northern Ireland after consultation with the Attorney General for Northern Ireland] .

[F39 (1A) A person is not qualified for appointment as Crown Solicitor unless he is—

(a) a member of the Bar of Northern Ireland of at least ten years’standing; or

(b) a solicitor of the [F40 Court of Judicature] of at least ten years’ standing.]

(2) The Crown Solicitor shall hold office on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the [F41 Advocate General for Northern Ireland] .

[F42 (3) The Crown Solicitor—

(a) must make his services available to any Minister or department of the Government of the United Kingdom; and

(b) may make his services available to any Northern Ireland Minister or Northern Ireland department or any other public body or holder of public office.]

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

Textual Amendments

F38 Words in s. 35(1) substituted (12.4.2010) by Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 (c. 26), s. 87(1), Sch. 7 para. 14(2); S.R. 2010/113, art. 2, Sch. para. 19(c)

F39 S. 35(1A) inserted (3.4.2006) by 2002 c. 26, ss. 18(10), 87; S.R. 2006/124, art. 2 Sch. para. 6

F40 Words in s. 35(1A)(b) substituted (1.10.2009) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 59, 148, Sch. 11 para. 6; S.I. 2009/1609, art. 2(d)

F41 Words in s. 35(2) substituted (12.4.2010) by Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 (c. 26), s. 87(1), Sch. 7 para. 14(3); S.R. 2010/113, art. 2, Sch. para. 19(c)

F42 S. 35(3) substituted (3.4.2006) by 2002 c. 26, ss. 20, 87; S.R. 2006/124, art. 2 Sch. para. 7

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

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

F43 (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F43 (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(c) Civil Service Commissioner for Northern Ireland;

F44 (d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

shall be made by Her Majesty.

F45 (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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

F45 (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

F43 S. 36(1)(a)(b) repealed (N.I.) (1.4.2016) by Public Services Ombudsman Act (NorthernIreland) 2016 (c. 4), s. 64, Sch. 9

F44 S. 36(1)(d) repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(1), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

F45 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.

F46 (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 M2 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

F46 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

M2 1920 c. 67.

F47 38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F47 S. 38 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

F48 39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F48 S. 39 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.

F49 40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . U.K.

Textual Amendments

F49 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)

C3 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 M3 Northern Ireland (Temporary Provisions) Act 1972 or the validity of any Order in Council made under section 1(3) of that Act; F50 . . .

Textual Amendments

F50 Words in s. 42(3) repealed (2.12.1999) by S.I. 1999/663, art. 2(2), Sch. 2

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C4 S. 42 extended by S.I. 1986/1032 (N.I. 6), art. 2(4)

C5 S. 42 amended by S.I. 1989/1339 (N.I. 11), art. 2(10)

C6 S. 42 extended by S.I. 1990/594 (N.I. 6), Pt. I art. 2(11)

C7 S. 42(2) extended by S.I. 1989/846 (N.I. 6), Pt. I art. 2(4)

C8 S. 42(3) extended by S.I. 1986/594 (N.I. 3), art 2(3)

C9 S. 42(3) extended (21.8.1991) by S.I. 1991/1220 (N.I. 11), arts. 1(2), 2(3).

Marginal Citations

M3 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;

• F51 . . .

• F51 . . .

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

• “functions” includes powers and duties;

• F51 . . .

• “Northern Ireland” has the same meaning as for the purposes of the M4 Government of Ireland Act 1920;

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

• F51 . . .

• F51 . . .

F52 (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

F51 Definitions in s. 43(2) repealed (2.12.1999) by S.I. 1999/663, arts. 1(2), 2(2), Sch. 2

F52 S. 43(3) repealed (2.12.1999) by S.I. 1999/663, arts. 1(2), 2(2), Sch. 2

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C10 1.9.1973 appointed under s. 43(6) by S.I. 1973/1418

Marginal Citations

M4 1920 c. 67.