European Union Referendum Act 2015

Restriction on challenge to referendum result

19 (1) No court may entertain any proceedings for questioning the number of ballot papers counted or votes cast in the referendum as certified by the Chief Counting Officer or a Regional Counting Officer or counting officer unless—

(a) the proceedings are brought by a claim for judicial review, and

(b) the claim form is filed before the end of the permitted period.

(2) In sub-paragraph (1) “the permitted period” means the period of 6 weeks beginning with—

(a) the day on which the officer in question gives a certificate as to the number of ballot papers counted and votes cast in the referendum, or

(b) if the officer gives more than one such certificate, the day on which the last is given.

(3) In the application of this paragraph to Scotland, sub-paragraph (1) has effect—

(a) with the substitution in paragraph (a) of “a petition” for “a claim”;

(b) with the substitution in paragraph (b) of “the petition is lodged” for “the claim form is filed”.

(4) In the application of this paragraph to Northern Ireland, sub-paragraph (1) has effect—

(a) with the substitution in paragraph (a) of “an application” for “a claim”;

(b) with the substitution in paragraph (b) of “the application for leave to apply for judicial review is lodged” for “the claim form is filed”.

(5) In the application of this paragraph to Gibraltar, sub-paragraph (1) has effect with the substitution in paragraph (a) of “an application” for “a claim”.