The Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Act (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Commencement No. 1) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022

Citation and interpretation

1.—(1) This Order may be cited as the Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Act (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Commencement No. 1) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022.

(2) In this Order “the 2021 Act” means the Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Act (Northern Ireland) 2021.

Appointed Day

2.  The day appointed for the coming into operation of the following provisions of the 2021 Act is 21st February 2022—

(a) Section 1 (The domestic abuse offence);

(b) Section 2 (What amounts to abusive behaviour);

(c) Section 3 (Impact of behaviour on victim);

(d) Section 4 (Meaning of behaviour etc.);

(e) Section 5 (Meaning of personal connection);

(f) Section 6 (Establishing connection by notice);

(g) Section 7 (How notice is to be served);

(h) Section 8 (Aggravation where victim is under 18);

(i) Section 9 (Aggravation where relevant child is involved);

(j) Section 10 (Behaviour occurring outside the UK);

(k) Section 11 (Exception where responsibility for children);

(l) Section 12 (Defence on grounds of reasonableness);

(m) Section 13 (Alternative available for conviction);

(n) Section 14 (Penalty for the offence);

(o) Section 15 (Aggravation as to domestic abuse);

(p) Section 16 (What amounts to the aggravation);

(q) Section 17 (Exception regarding the aggravation);

(r) Section 18 (Meaning of personal connection);

(s) Section 19 (Establishing connection by notice)

(t) Section 20 (How notice is to be served);

(u) Section 21 (Meaning of ill-treatment etc. in offence provision);

(v) Section 22 (No right to claim trial by jury);

(w) Section 23 (Special measures directions);

(x) Section 24 (Prohibition of cross-exanimation in person);

(y) Section 25 (Meaning of offence involving domestic abuse etc.);

(z) Section 26 (Information-sharing with schools etc.);

(aa) Section 27 (Protective measures for victims of abuse);

(bb) Section 30 (Guidance about domestic abuse);

(cc) Section 31 (Guidance on data collection);

(dd) Section 32 (Training within relevant bodies);

(ee) Section 34 (Report on the operation of this Part);

(ff) Section 35 (Factors relevant to residence and contact orders);

Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Justice on 18th February 2022.

Naomi Long

Minister of Justice