Constitutional Reform Act 2005

Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978 (c. 23)

30 After section 55 insert—

“55A Making of rules of Court

(1) It is for the Rules Committee to make rules under section 55(1) or (2).

(2) After making such rules the Rule Committee must submit them to the Lord Chancellor.

(3) The Lord Chancellor must allow or disallow rules submitted to him.

(4) Rules submitted to the Lord Chancellor have effect only if allowed by him.

(5) If the Lord Chancellor disallows rules submitted to him, he must give the Committee written reasons why he has disallowed them.

(6) Subsection (7) applies if the Lord Chancellor gives the Rules Committee written notice that he thinks it is expedient for rules under section 55(1) or (2) to include provision that would achieve a purpose specified in the notice.

(7) The Rules Committee must make such rules as it considers necessary to achieve the specified purpose.

(8) Those rules must be—

(a) made within a reasonable period after the Lord Chancellor gives notice under subsection (6);

(b) made in accordance with this section.”