The Recall of MPs Act 2015 (Recall Petition) Regulations 2016

Appeals: Northern Ireland

76.—(1) An appeal lies to the county court from any decision under these Regulations of the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland refusing a person’s application—

(a) to sign a petition by post or proxy under regulation 52(1) or 54(1);

(b) to sign a petition by post as proxy under regulation 58(5);

(c) to sign a petition by proxy instead of post or by post instead of proxy under regulation 52(7);

(d) for a signing sheet to be sent to a different address under regulation 54(4)(a) or 58(8);

(e) to appoint a proxy under regulation 57(6) and (7).

(2) An appeal to the county court or Court of Appeal by virtue of this regulation which is pending when notice of a petition is given under regulation 14 (notice of petition) does not prejudice the operation as respects the petition of the decision appealed against, and anything done in pursuance of the decision—

(a) is as good as if no such appeal had been brought, and

(b) is not affected by the decision of the appeal.

(3) The Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland must make the necessary entries in the record kept under regulation 52(5) and 58(7) as may be required to give effect to that decision.

(4) On any appeal, the Chief Electoral Officer is deemed to be a party to the proceedings and the registration expenses payable to him or her include any expenses properly incurred by virtue of this regulation.

(5) Section 21(1) of the Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 (rules regulating procedure of courts etc) applies as if the jurisdiction conferred by subsection (1) were conferred by any enactment within the meaning of that Act.