131. Amend the Magistrates’ Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981(1) as follows.
132. In Article 6A(5) (costs in legal proceedings) for the words from “annulment” to “accordingly” substitute “negative resolution”.
133. In Article 13 (magistrates’ courts rules)—
(a)after paragraph (3) insert—
“(3ZA) For the purposes of paragraphs (3A) to (3D), “relevant authority” means—
(a)in relation to magistrates’ courts rules which deal (or would deal) with an excepted matter, the Lord Chancellor; and
(b)otherwise, the Department of Justice;
and for the purposes of this paragraph “deal with” and “excepted matter” have the same meanings as in the Northern Ireland Act 1998(2).”;
(b)in paragraphs (3A) and (3D) for “Lord Chancellor” substitute “relevant authority”;
(c)in paragraph (3B)—
(i)for “Lord Chancellor” substitute “relevant authority”;
(ii)for “he” substitute “it”.
134. In Article 24(7) (non-appearance of accused: plea of guilty) for the words from “annulment” to “accordingly” substitute “negative resolution”.
135. In Article 85(12) (orders for periodical payment: means of payment) for the words from “annulment” to “accordingly” substitute “negative resolution”.
136. In Article 86A(6) (interest on arrears) for the words from “annulment” to “accordingly” substitute “negative resolution”.
137. In Articles 139(1) and (3) and 151(2) (payments) (wherever occurring) for “Consolidated Fund of the United Kingdom” substitute “Consolidated Fund of Northern Ireland”.
138. In Article 150(1) and (2) (abandonment of appeal to county court or by way of case stated) for “the Lord Chancellor” substitute “that Department”.
139. In Article 167(2) (expenses) for “Lord Chancellor in performing his functions” substitute “Department of Justice in performing its functions”.
S.I. 1981/1675 (N.I. 26). Relevant amendments were made by section 98(2) of the Access to Justice Act 1999 (c. 22); the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 (c. 26); the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), section 15 and Schedule 5, paragraphs 62 and 65; S.I. 1993/1576 (N.I. 6), Article 9(1); the Northern Ireland Court Service (Abolition and Transfer of Functions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2010.