The Criminal Justice (2003 Order) (Commencement No. 1) Order (Northern Ireland) 2003

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order.)

This Order brings into operation on 13th June 2003 certain of the provisions of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 (“the parent Order”) which relate to bail and to the offence of riotous behaviour.

Article 3 of the parent Order provides the definition of “bail” used in Part II of that Order.

Article 4 places a statutory duty on a person released on bail to surrender to the custody of a court or the police.

Article 5 makes it a criminal offence to breach, without reasonable cause, the duty created by Article 4. The maximum penalty for that offence, which is triable summarily, is a level 5 fine (£5,000) and/or three months' imprisonment.

Article 6 provides for the arrest of a person on bail who fails to surrender to custody as required or who breaches, or is likely to breach, any of the conditions on which his bail was granted.

Article 28 increases the maximum term of imprisonment for the offence of riotous behaviour from six months to twelve months.

Article 29 adds riotous behaviour to the list of summary offences for which a maximum sentence of over six months' imprisonment is available and in respect of which an accused person may not elect to be tried by a jury.

Article 30 adds riotous behaviour to the list of offences in respect of which a suspect may be arrested without warrant.