Search Legislation

Access to Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2003

 Help about what version

What Version

 Help about advanced features

Advanced Features

Changes to legislation:

Access to Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 18 April 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations. Help about Changes to Legislation

Close

Changes to Legislation

Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the legislation in the affected provisions. Use the ‘more’ link to open the changes and effects relevant to the provision you are viewing.

View outstanding changes

Changes and effects yet to be applied to :

Changes and effects yet to be applied to the whole Order associated Parts and Chapters:

Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Order (including any effects on those provisions):

SCHEDULES

Article 3(4)

F1SCHEDULE 1N.I.NORTHERN IRELAND LEGAL SERVICES COMMISSION

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 12(5)

SCHEDULE 2N.I.CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES: EXCLUDED SERVICES

Commencement Information

I1Sch. 2 in operation at 1.4.2015 by S.R. 2015/194, art. 2, Sch. (with art. 3)

1.  [F2The Department] may not fund services consisting of the provision of advice (beyond the provision of general information about the law and the legal system and the availability of legal services) or assistance in relation to—

(a)conveyancing,

(b)boundary disputes,

(c)the making of wills,

(d)matters of trust law,

(e)defamation or malicious falsehood,

(f)matters of company or partnership law, or

(g)other matters arising out of the carrying on of a business.

Commencement Information

I2Sch. 2 para. 1 in operation at 1.4.2015 by S.R. 2015/194, art. 2, Sch. (with art. 3)

2.  [F3The Department] may not fund services consisting of representation in any proceedings, except, subject to paragraph 4, such proceedings as are specified in sub-paragraphs (a) to (j)—

(a)proceedings in—

(i)the[F4Supreme Court] in the exercise of its jurisdiction in relation to any appeal from Northern Ireland,

(ii)F5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(iii)the Court of Appeal,

(iv)the High Court, or

(v)any county court,

(b)proceedings before any person to whom a case is referred (in whole or in part) in any proceedings within sub-paragraph (a),

[F6(ba)proceedings in the Crown Court for the variation or discharge of an order under Article 7 or 7A of the Protection from Harassment (Northern Ireland) Order 1997;

(bb)proceedings in the Crown Court for the variation or discharge of a witness anonymity order under section 91 or 92 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009;]

(c)proceedings in the Crown Court under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002F7 to the extent specified in paragraph 3,

(d)proceedings in a court of summary jurisdiction—

(i)for or relating to an order under the Summary Jurisdiction (Separation and Maintenance) Act (Northern Ireland) 1945F8 or the Domestic Proceedings (Northern Ireland) Order 1980F9 or the Family Homes and Domestic Violence (Northern Ireland) Order 1998F10[F11 or Schedule 16 to the Civil Partnership Act 2004],

(ii)under section 22 of the Maintenance Orders Act 1950F12 or section 13 of the Maintenance and Affiliation Orders Act (Northern Ireland) 1966F13,

(iii)under Part I of the Maintenance Orders (Reciprocal Enforcement) Act 1972F14 relating to a maintenance order made by a court of a country outside the United Kingdom,

(iv)such as are referred to in paragraph (i) and are brought by virtue of Part II of the Maintenance Orders (Reciprocal Enforcement) Act 1972,

(v)which are debt or ejectment proceedings within the meaning of Part VI of the Magistrates' Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981F15, other than proceedings under Article 62(2) of that Order,

(vi)under section 97, 143 or 144(1) of the Children and Young Persons Act (Northern Ireland) 1968F16 or the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995F17,

(vii)under Article 101 of the Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1972F18 or section 101 of the Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 1992F19,

(viii)which are appeals under Article 22 of the Child Support (Northern Ireland) Order 1991F20, so far as such appeals are to be made to a court of summary jurisdiction by virtue of Article 2 of the Child Support Appeals (Jurisdiction of Courts) Order (Northern Ireland) 1993F21,

(ix)under Article 28 of the Child Support (Northern Ireland) Order 1991,

Sub para. (x) rep. by 2003 c. 42

(xi)for an order or direction under paragraph 3, 5, 6, 9 or 10 of Schedule 1 to the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001F22,F23. . .

(xii)for an order or direction under section [F24195M,] [F25215A,] 295, 297, [F26297E, 297F,] 298, 301 or 302 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, F27...

[F28(xiii)under section 89, 90, 97, 100, 104, 108, 109, 114, 118, 123, 125 or 126 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003,]

[F29(xiv)for the discharge or variation of an order under section 195M of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, or

(xv)which relate to a direction under section 215D of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002,]

[F30(xvi)for the variation or discharge of an order under Article 7 or 7A of the Protection from Harassment (Northern Ireland) Order 1997,

(xvii)for an order or the variation, renewal or discharge of an order under paragraph 5 or 10 of Schedule 5 to the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008,

(xviii)for the discharge of an investigation anonymity order under section 80 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009,

(xix)for the variation or discharge of a witness anonymity order under section 91 or 92 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009;]

F31(xx). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F32(xxi)under paragraph 8 of Schedule 1 to the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015;]

[F33(xxii)under Article 44 or 45 of the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989;

(xxiii)under paragraph 29 or 36 of Schedule 8 to the Terrorism Act 2000;

(xxiv)under Article 31B of the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings (Northern Ireland) Order 1989;]

[F34(xxv)under paragraph 2, 6 or 7 of Schedule 3 to the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Criminal Justice and Support for Victims) Act (Northern Ireland) 2015;

(xxvi)under section 57, 60 or 61 of the Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2015;]

(e)proceedings in any devolution issue (within the meaning of Schedule 10 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998, Schedule 8 to the Government of Wales Act 1998F35 or Schedule 6 to the Scotland Act 1998F36) before any court in Northern Ireland,

(f)proceedings brought by an individual before the Proscribed Organisations Appeal Commission,

(g)proceedings before the Mental Health Review Tribunal,

(h)proceedings in the Lands Tribunal for Northern Ireland,

[F37(hh)proceedings under Article 3 or 4 of the Anti-social Behaviour (Northern Ireland) Order 2004;]

[F38(i)proceedings before F39... the Special Immigration Appeals Commission,]

[F40(ia)proceedings before the First-tier Tribunal under—

[F41(i)Schedule 10 to the Immigration Act 2016;]

(ii)section 40A of the British Nationality Act 1981;

(iii)Part 5 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002; or

(iv)regulation 26 of the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2006,

(ib)proceedings before the Upper Tribunal arising out of proceedings within sub-paragraph (ia),]

(j)proceedings in the Enforcement of Judgments Office in connection with any proceedings mentioned in sub-paragraphs (a) to (i).

[F42(ja)proceedings before the Parole Commissioners for Northern Ireland;

(jb)proceedings before the Care Tribunal under Article 11, 12, 42 or 43 of the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 or regulation 10 of the Education (Prohibition from Teaching or Working with Children) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007;

(jc)proceedings under Part 13A of the Prison and Young Offenders Centre Rules (Northern Ireland) 1995.]

(k)F43. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F4Words in Sch. 2 para. 2(a)(i) substituted (1.10.2009) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 40, 148, Sch. 9 para. 84; S.I. 2009/1604, art. 2(a)(d)

F21SR 1993/104

F24Word in Sch. 2 para. 2(d)(xii) inserted (1.3.2016) by Policing and Crime Act 2009 (c. 26), s. 116(1), Sch. 7 para. 96(2)(a); S.I. 2016/147, art. 3(i)

F25Word in Sch. 2 para. 2(d)(xii) inserted (7.1.2013) by Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 (c. 24), ss. 86(3), 111(3); S.R. 2012/449, art. 2(b)

F26Words in Sch. 2 para. 2(d)(xii) inserted (1.3.2016) by Policing and Crime Act 2009 (c. 26), s. 116(1), Sch. 7 para. 112; S.I. 2016/147, art. 3(j)

F27Word in Sch. 2 para. 2(d)(xii) repealed (1.3.2016) by Policing and Crime Act 2009 (c. 26), s. 116(1), Sch. 8 Pt. 4; S.I. 2016/147, art. 3(k)

F30Sch. 2 para. 2(d)(xvi)-(xix) inserted (7.1.2013) by Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 (c. 24), ss. 86(4), 111(3); S.R. 2012/449, art. 2(b)

F32Sch. 2 para. 2(d)(xxi) inserted (13.2.2015) by Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 (c. 6), ss. 1(3), 52(1)

Commencement Information

I3Sch. 2 para. 2 in operation at 1.4.2015 by S.R. 2015/194, art. 2, Sch. (with art. 3)

3.—(1) These are the proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 referred to in paragraph 2(c)—N.I.

(a)proceedings which relate to a direction under section 202(3) F44. . . as to the distribution of funds in the hands of a receiver;

(b)applications under section 210 relating to action taken or proposed to be taken by a receiver;

(c)applications under section 211 to vary or discharge an order under any of sections 196 [F45to 199] for the appointment of or conferring powers on a receiver;

[F46(ca)proceedings which relate to a direction under section 215D;]

(d)applications under section 220 or 221 for the payment of compensation;

(e)applications under sections 351(3), 362(3), 369(3) or 375(2) to vary or discharge certain orders made under Part 8.

(2) But sub-paragraph (1) does not authorise the funding of the provision of services to a defendant (within the meaning of Part 4 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002) in relation to—

(a)proceedings mentioned in [F47head (a)] of that sub-paragraph, or

(b)an application under section 221 of that Act for the payment of compensation if the confiscation order was varied under section 179.

F44Words in Sch. 2 para. 3(1)(a) repealed (1.4.2008) by Serious Crime Act 2007 (c. 27), ss. 74(2), 92, 94(1), Sch. 8 para. 163(2), Sch. 14; S.I. 2008/755, art. 2(1)(a)(c)(d) (subject to arts. 3-14)

F45Words in Sch. 2 para. 3(1)(c) substituted (1.4.2008) by Serious Crime Act 2007 (c. 27), ss. 74(2), 94(1), Sch. 8 para. 163(3); S.I. 2008/755, art. 2(1)(a) (subject to arts. 3-14)

F46Sch. 2 para. 3(ca) inserted (1.3.2016) by virtue of Policing and Crime Act 2009 (c. 26), s. 116(1), Sch. 7 para. 96(3); S.I. 2016/147, art. 3(i)

Commencement Information

I4Sch. 2 para. 3 in operation at 1.4.2015 by S.R. 2015/194, art. 2, Sch. (with art. 3)

4.  Subject to paragraph 5, the following services may not be funded by the [F48Department] as civil legal services, even where they fall within the descriptions specified in paragraphs 2(a) to [F49(jc)]N.I.

(a)representation in proceedings in respect of which representation may be granted as a criminal defence service;

(b)representation wholly or partly in respect of defamation;

(c)representation in relator actions;

(d)representation in relation to election petitions under the Representation of the People Act 1983F50 or the Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962F51;

(e)representation in proceedings (other than proceedings referred to in paragraph 2(j)) for the recovery of a debt (including liquidated damages) which is admitted where the only question to be brought before the court is as to the time and mode of payment of that debt;

(f)representation in proceedings incidental to any proceedings mentioned in sub-paragraphs (a) to (e).

5.  Notwithstanding paragraph 4, the making of a counterclaim for defamation in proceedings for which representation may be granted shall not of itself affect any right of a defendant to the counterclaim to representation in the proceedings and representation may be granted to enable him to defend such counterclaim.N.I.

Commencement Information

I6Sch. 2 para. 5 in operation at 1.4.2015 by S.R. 2015/194, art. 2, Sch. (with art. 3)

[F526.  The Department may not fund services consisting of the provision of advice, assistance or representation to any [F53children’s court guardian] for the purposes of any proceedings under the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995.]N.I.

Article 48(2)

SCHEDULE 3N.I.TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS AND SAVINGS

InterpretationN.I.

F541.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .N.I.

F54Sch. 3 repealed (1.4.2015 in so far as not already in operation) by Legal Aid and Coroners‘ Courts Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 (c. 11), s. 12(2)(d)(vi), Sch. 2 para. 6(42), Sch. 3 Pt. 1 (with ss. 2(3), 9, Sch. 1 para. 3(3)); S.R. 2015/193, art. 2(e)

Rights, obligations and propertyN.I.

F552.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .N.I.

F55Sch. 3 repealed (1.4.2015 in so far as not already in operation) by Legal Aid and Coroners‘ Courts Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 (c. 11), s. 12(2)(d)(vi), Sch. 2 para. 6(42), Sch. 3 Pt. 1 (with ss. 2(3), 9, Sch. 1 para. 3(3)); S.R. 2015/193, art. 2(e)

The Legal Aid FundN.I.

F563.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .N.I.

F56Sch. 3 repealed (1.4.2015 in so far as not already in operation) by Legal Aid and Coroners‘ Courts Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 (c. 11), s. 12(2)(d)(vi), Sch. 2 para. 6(42), Sch. 3 Pt. 1 (with ss. 2(3), 9, Sch. 1 para. 3(3)); S.R. 2015/193, art. 2(e)

Part II of the 1981 OrderN.I.

F574.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .N.I.

F57Sch. 3 repealed (1.4.2015 in so far as not already in operation) by Legal Aid and Coroners‘ Courts Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 (c. 11), s. 12(2)(d)(vi), Sch. 2 para. 6(42), Sch. 3 Pt. 1 (with ss. 2(3), 9, Sch. 1 para. 3(3)); S.R. 2015/193, art. 2(e)

Part III of the 1981 OrderN.I.

F585.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .N.I.

F58Sch. 3 repealed (1.4.2015 in so far as not already in operation) by Legal Aid and Coroners‘ Courts Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 (c. 11), s. 12(2)(d)(vi), Sch. 2 para. 6(42), Sch. 3 Pt. 1 (with ss. 2(3), 9, Sch. 1 para. 3(3)); S.R. 2015/193, art. 2(e)

Commission's annual plan and annual reportN.I.

F596.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .N.I.

F59Sch. 3 repealed (1.4.2015 in so far as not already in operation) by Legal Aid and Coroners‘ Courts Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 (c. 11), s. 12(2)(d)(vi), Sch. 2 para. 6(42), Sch. 3 Pt. 1 (with ss. 2(3), 9, Sch. 1 para. 3(3)); S.R. 2015/193, art. 2(e)

Grants and approvals under the 1981 OrderN.I.

F607.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .N.I.

Chief Executive of the CommissionN.I.

F618.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .N.I.

F61Sch. 3 repealed (1.4.2015 in so far as not already in operation) by Legal Aid and Coroners‘ Courts Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 (c. 11), s. 12(2)(d)(vi), Sch. 2 para. 6(42), Sch. 3 Pt. 1 (with ss. 2(3), 9, Sch. 1 para. 3(3)); S.R. 2015/193, art. 2(e)

The Commission: transfers of employmentN.I.

F629.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .N.I.

F62Sch. 3 repealed (1.4.2015 in so far as not already in operation) by Legal Aid and Coroners‘ Courts Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 (c. 11), s. 12(2)(d)(vi), Sch. 2 para. 6(42), Sch. 3 Pt. 1 (with ss. 2(3), 9, Sch. 1 para. 3(3)); S.R. 2015/193, art. 2(e)

F6310.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .N.I.

F63Sch. 3 repealed (1.4.2015 in so far as not already in operation) by Legal Aid and Coroners‘ Courts Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 (c. 11), s. 12(2)(d)(vi), Sch. 2 para. 6(42), Sch. 3 Pt. 1 (with ss. 2(3), 9, Sch. 1 para. 3(3)); S.R. 2015/193, art. 2(e)

F6411.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .N.I.

F64Sch. 3 repealed (1.4.2015 in so far as not already in operation) by Legal Aid and Coroners‘ Courts Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 (c. 11), s. 12(2)(d)(vi), Sch. 2 para. 6(42), Sch. 3 Pt. 1 (with ss. 2(3), 9, Sch. 1 para. 3(3)); S.R. 2015/193, art. 2(e)

PensionsN.I.

F6512.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .N.I.

F65Sch. 3 repealed (1.4.2015 in so far as not already in operation) by Legal Aid and Coroners‘ Courts Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 (c. 11), s. 12(2)(d)(vi), Sch. 2 para. 6(42), Sch. 3 Pt. 1 (with ss. 2(3), 9, Sch. 1 para. 3(3)); S.R. 2015/193, art. 2(e)

Assistance with functionsN.I.

F6613.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .N.I.

F66Sch. 3 repealed (1.4.2015 in so far as not already in operation) by Legal Aid and Coroners‘ Courts Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 (c. 11), s. 12(2)(d)(vi), Sch. 2 para. 6(42), Sch. 3 Pt. 1 (with ss. 2(3), 9, Sch. 1 para. 3(3)); S.R. 2015/193, art. 2(e)

N.I.

Schedule 4—Amendments

N.I.

Schedule 5—Repeals

Back to top

Options/Help

Print Options

Close

Legislation is available in different versions:

Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.

Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.

Close

See additional information alongside the content

Geographical Extent: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

Show Timeline of Changes: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.

Close

Opening Options

Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once

Close

More Resources

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • correction slips
  • links to related legislation and further information resources
Close

Timeline of Changes

This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.

Close

More Resources

Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as made version that was used for the print copy
  • correction slips

Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:

  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • links to related legislation and further information resources