These Rules make provision regarding the granting of free legal aid under Part III of the Legal Aid, Advice and Assistance (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 and section 184 of the Extradition Act 2003.

The Rules are a consolidating instrument to replace the Legal Aid Certificates Rules (Northern Ireland) 1966, the Legal Aid (Defence Certificates) Rules (Northern Ireland) 1966 and the Legal Aid (Appeal Aid Certificates) Rules (Northern Ireland) 1966, all of which are revoked.

Rule 2 provides for the manner in which applications for the grant of a criminal aid certificate are to be recorded.

Rules 3 to 6 prescribe the manner in which solicitors and counsel are to be assigned in pursuance of such certificates.

Rule 7, together with the Schedule, prescribes the forms of criminal aid certificates to be used when free legal aid is granted:

• — for proceedings in a magistrates' court under Article 28 of the 1981 Order;

• — for diversionary youth conferences under Article 28A of the 1981 Order;

• — for proceedings in the Crown Court under Article 29 of the 1981 Order;

• — for appeals to a county court under Article 30 of the 1981 Order;

• — for extradition proceedings under section 184 of the 2003 Act.