Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2015

4.  A provision in Part 2 does not apply in relation to proceedings instituted before the coming into operation of that provision; and for this purpose proceedings are to be taken to be instituted—

(a) where—

(i) a summons or warrant is issued under Article 20 of the Magistrates’ Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981, or

(ii) a summons is issued under section 93,

when the complaint for the offence is made;

(b) where a person is charged with the offence after being taken into custody without a warrant, when that person is informed of the particulars of the charge;

(c) where an indictment is presented under the authority of section 2(2)(c), (d), (e) or (f) of the Grand Jury (Abolition) Act (Northern Ireland) 1969, when the indictment is presented to the court;

and where the application of this paragraph would result in there being more than one time for the institution of the proceedings, they shall be taken to have been instituted at the earliest of those times.