Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954

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Changes and effects yet to be applied to Section 39:

s. 39(2) excluded by S.R. 2023/143 art. 2(3) (This amendment not applied to legislation.gov.uk. S.R. 2023/143 revoked before coming into operation (26.9.2023) by The Social Security Benefits Up-rating (No. 3) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023 (S.R. 2023/150), arts. 1, 33)
s. 39(2) excluded by S.R. 2024/69 art. 2(3)
s. 39(2) excluded by S.R. 2024/73 art. 2(3)

39Time.N.I.

(1)Words in an enactment relating to time and references therein to a point of time shall be construed as relating or referring to Greenwich mean time, subject, however, to any statutory provision which may for the time being provide that, during any specified period or periods, time in Northern Ireland is to differ from Greenwich mean time.

F1(2)Where in an enactment a period of time is expressed to begin on, or to be reckoned from, a particular day, that day shall not be included in the period.

(3)Where in an enactment a period of time is expressed to end on, or to be reckoned to, a particular day, that day shall be included in the period.

(4)Where the time limited by an enactment for the doing of anything expires or falls upon a Sunday or a public holiday, the time so limited shall extend to and the thing may be done on the first following day that is not a Sunday or a public holiday.

(5)Sub-sections (2), (3) and (4) shall apply whether or not the number of days concerned is expressed to be clear days.

(6)In an enactment—

(a)a reference to midnight, in relation to any particular day, shall be construed as a reference to the point of time at which that day ends;

(b)a reference to a week-day shall be construed as a reference to a day which is not a Sunday;

(c)a reference to a month shall be construed as a reference to a calendar month;

(d)a reference, without qualification, to a year shall be construed as a reference to a period of twelve months; and

(e)a reference to a financial year or to a local financial year shall be construed as a reference to a period of twelve months ending at midnight on the thirty-first day of March.

(7)In any enactment relating to any duty or tax F2... the expression “night” shall be deemed to begin at eleven of the clock in the evening of each day, and to end at five of the clock in the morning of the next succeeding day.

(8)In an enactment the expression “public holiday” shall include Christmas Day, Good Friday, any bank holiday appointed by or under any statutory provision and any day appointed for public thanksgiving or mourning.

F1mod. by 2005 NI 1

F2SI 1999/663

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1S. 39(2) excluded (6.4.2006) by Occupational Pension Schemes (Payments to Employer) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/161), reg. 2(4)

S. 39(2) excluded (20.11.2006) by Housing Benefit Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/405), reg. 2(6)

S. 39(2) excluded (20.11.2006) by Housing Benefit (Persons who have attained the qualifying age for state pension credit) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. 2006/406), reg. 2(7)

C2S. 39(2) excluded (1.4.2008) by Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order (Northern Ireland) 2008 (S.R. 2008/92), arts. 1(1)(a), 2(3) (with art. 6)

C3S. 39(2) excluded by S.R. 2005/168, reg. 2(6) (as inserted (6.4.2008) by Occupational Pension Schemes (Employer Debt and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 (S.R. 2008/132), reg. 4(5))

C4S. 39(2) excluded by Foyle Fisheries Act (Northern Ireland) 1952 (c. 5), s. 82(6) (as inserted (1.6.2008) by Foyle and Carlingford Fisheries (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 (S.I. 2007/915 (N.I. 9)), arts. 1(3), 31 (with art. 32)); S.R. 2008/232, art. 2, Sch.

C5S. 39(2) modified (29.6. 2007) by Welfare Reform Act (Northern Ireland) 2007 (c. 2), ss. 57(2)(b), 60

C6S. 39(2) modified (11.2.2008) by Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 1), s. 20(2), Sch. 4 Pt. 3

C7S. 39(2) modified (15.12.2008) by Pensions (No. 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (c. 13), ss. 117(2), 118(2)(g)