Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Rules.)

These Rules contain provisions relating to Part 2 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 (Notification and orders).

Rule 2 revokes the Magistrates' Courts (Sex Offender Orders) Rules (Northern Ireland) 1999 and the Magistrates' Courts (Sex Offender Orders) (Amendment) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2003. Sex offender orders and interim sex offender orders (made under Articles 6, 6A, 6B and 7 of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 1998) are replaced by sexual offences prevention orders and interim sexual offences prevention orders.

These Rules prescribe the procedure on an application for –

  • a notification order or an interim notification order (Rule 3);

  • a sexual offences prevention order or an interim sexual offences prevention order (Rule 4);

  • a foreign travel order (Rule 5); and

  • a risk of sexual harm order or an interim risk of sexual harm order (Rule 6).

Rule 7 prescribes the procedure on an application for the variation, renewal or discharge of –

  • an interim notification order;

  • a sexual offences prevention order or interim sexual offences prevention order;

  • a foreign travel order; or

  • a risk of sexual harm order or interim risk of sexual harm order.

Rule 8 prescribes the manner in which a summons or an order required to be served under these Rules may be served.