(1)In section 20 of the [1974 c. 4.] Legal Aid Act 1974 (power of Lord Chancellor to make regulations), after subsection (4) there shall be inserted as subsection (4A)—
“(4A)Without prejudice to the preceding provisions of this section or any other provision of this Part of this Act authorising the making of regulations, regulations may also modify the provisions of, or of any instrument having effect under, this Part of this Act (including so much of any of those provisions as specifies a sum of money) for the purposes of the application of those provisions—
(a)in cases where their modification appears to the Lord Chancellor necessary for the purpose of fulfilling any obligation imposed on the United Kingdom or Her Majesty's government therein by any international agreement; or
(b)in relation to proceedings for securing the recognition or enforcement in England and Wales of judgments given outside the United Kingdom for whose recognition or enforcement in the United Kingdom provision is made by any international agreement.”.
(2)In section 15 of the [1967 c. 43.] Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 1967 (power of Secretary of State to make regulations), after subsection (4) there shall be inserted as subsection (4A)—
“(4A)Without prejudice to the preceding provisions of this section or any other provision of this Act authorising the making of regulations, regulations may also modify the provisions of, or of any instrument having effect under, this Act (including so much of any of those provisions as specifies a sum of money) for the purposes of the application of those provisions—
(a)in cases where their modification appears to the Secretary of State necessary for the purpose of fulfilling any obligation imposed on the United Kingdom or Her Majesty's government therein by any international agreement; or
(b)in relation to proceedings for securing the recognition or enforcement in Scotland of judgments given outside the United Kingdom for whose recognition or enforcement in the United Kingdom provision is made by any international agreement.”.
(3)In Article 22 of the [S.I. 1981/228 (N.I. 8).] Legal Aid, Advice and Assistance (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 (power of Lord Chancellor to make regulations), after paragraph (4) there shall be inserted as paragraph (4A)—
“(4A)Without prejudice to the preceding provisions of this Article or any other provision of this Part authorising the making of regulations, regulations may also modify the provisions of, or of any instrument having effect under, this Part (including so much of any of those provisions as specifies a sum of money) for the purposes of the application of those provisions—
(a)in cases where their modification appears to the Lord Chancellor necessary for the purpose of fulfilling any obligation imposed on the United Kingdom or Her Majesty's government therein by any international agreement; or
(b)in relation to proceedings for securing the recognition or enforcement in Northern Ireland of judgments given outside the United Kingdom for whose recognition or enforcement in the United Kingdom provision is made by any international agreement.”.