The Criminal Justice (2003 Order) (Commencement No. 2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2003

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order.)

This Order brings into operation on 13th October 2003 Article 32 of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 (“the parent Order”). Article 32 enables the prosecutor (in addition to the offender) to receive a copy of a pre-sentence report.

This Order brings into operation on 28th July 2003 the following provisions of the parent Order:

• Article 18 which amends the meaning of rape;

• Article 19 which amends the law in relation to buggery;

• Articles 20 and 21 which amend the law on assault with intent to commit buggery and indecent assault on a male;

• Article 22 which increases the maximum penalty for indecent conduct towards a child;

• Article 23 which abolishes the presumption in law that a boy under 14 years old is incapable of sexual intercourse;

• Article 24 relating to the forfeiture of recognizances in certain circumstances;

• Article 25 which provides flexibility of signatory where a summons needs to be re-issued with a later date for a person’s appearance at court;

• Article 26 which amends the circumstances in which magistrates' courts may record a guilty plea in the defendant’s absence;

• Article 27 which facilitates the use by magistrates' courts of remands of up to 28 days;

• Article 33 which lays down procedures for the eventuality that televisual equipment being used for a remand hearing should fail and not be readily reparable;

• Article 34 which allows the Secretary of State to pay the costs of defence representation where a defendant is prevented from cross-examining a witness in person;

• Article 35 which enables the Secretary of State to approve counsel’s fees in any prosecution, in accordance with arrangements approved by HM Treasury; and

• Article 36 (partially) which gives effect to the amendments and repeals in Schedules 1 and 2 to the parent Order.