Initial exercise of relevant powersU.K.
3(1)This paragraph applies—U.K.
(a)on the first occasion after the passing of this Act on which the relevant powers are exercised in relation to control order proceedings and relevant appeal proceedings in England and Wales; and
(b)on the first occasion after the passing of this Act on which they are so exercised in relation to control order proceedings and relevant appeal proceedings in Northern Ireland.
(2)On each of those occasions—
(a)the relevant powers may be exercised by the Lord Chancellor, instead of by the person by whom they are otherwise exercisable; and
(b)the Lord Chancellor is not required, before exercising the powers, to undertake any consultation that would be required in the case of rules made by that person.
(3)The Lord Chancellor must—
(a)consult the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales before making any rules under this paragraph in relation to England and Wales; and
(b)consult the Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland before making any rules under this paragraph in relation to Northern Ireland.
(4)The requirements of sub-paragraph (3) may be satisfied by consultation that took place wholly or partly before the passing of this Act.
(5)Rules of court made by the Lord Chancellor by virtue of this paragraph—
(a)must be laid before Parliament; and
(b)if not approved by a resolution of each House before the end of 40 days beginning with the day on which they were made, cease to have effect at the end of that period.
(6)Where rules cease to have effect in accordance with sub-paragraph (5)—
(a)that does not affect anything previously done in reliance on the rules;
(b)the Lord Chancellor is to have power again to exercise the relevant powers, in relation to the proceedings in question, instead of the person by whom they are otherwise exercisable;
(c)he may exercise them on that occasion without undertaking any consultation that would be required in the case of rules made by that person; and
(d)the rules made by the Lord Chancellor on that occasion may include rules to the same or similar effect.
(7)The following provisions do not apply to rules made by the Lord Chancellor by virtue of this paragraph—
(a)section 3(2) of the Civil Procedure Act 1997 (c. 12) (negative resolution procedure);
(b)section 56 of the Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978 (c. 23) (statutory rules procedure).
(8)In sub-paragraph (5) “40 days” means 40 days computed as provided for in section 7(1) of the Statutory Instruments Act 1946 (c. 36).