Constitutional Reform Act 2005

Magistrates' Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 (S.I. 1981/1675 (N.I. 26))

65 (1) Article 13 (magistrates' courts rules) is amended as follows.

(2) In paragraph (1) omit the words from “or as” to “Article 14”.

(3) In paragraph (2) for “Lord Chancellor” substitute “Lord Chief Justice”.

(4) For paragraph (3) substitute—

“(3) It is for the Rules Committee to make such rules as are referred to in paragraph (1) (which may be known as “magistrates' courts rules”).

(3A) The Rules Committee may make magistrates' courts rules only—

(a) after consultation with the Lord Chancellor, and

(b) with the agreement of the Lord Chief Justice.

(3B) Paragraph (3C) applies if the Lord Chancellor gives the Rules Committee written notice that he thinks it is expedient for magistrates' courts rules to include provision that would achieve a purpose specified in the notice.

(3C) The Rules Committee must make such magistrates' courts rules as it considers necessary to achieve the specified purpose.

(3D) Those rules must be—

(a) made within a reasonable period after the Lord Chancellor gives notice under paragraph (3B);

(b) made in accordance with this Article.”

(5) In paragraph (5), after “member of the committee” insert “as the Lord Chief Justice shall designate”.