While section 1 of the Northern Ireland Act 2000 (“the 2000 Act”) is in force, with the effect that the Northern Ireland Assembly is suspended, paragraph 1 of the Schedule to the 2000 Act allows legislation by Order in Council for any matter for which the Assembly may legislate under the terms of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. This power to legislate by Order in Council is limited to the first six months of any period during which section 1 of the 2000 Act is in force but may be extended by Order for a further period of up to six months at a time.

The effect of this Order is to extend the six month period which started on 15th October 2002 (when section 1 of the 2000 Act was brought into force again by The Northern Ireland Act (Suspension of Devolved Government) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/2574)) and would, apart from this Order, expire on 14th April 2003 by a further six months i.e. until 14th October 2003. The power will, however, lapse if the Assembly is restored before that date.