This Order brings the provisions of the Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c.9 (N.I.)) (“the Act”) specified in Article 2 into operation on 31st October 2016.
Sections 1 to 6 make provision in relation to the establishment of a single jurisdiction for the county courts and magistrates’ courts.
The provisions in section 53 enable witnesses to give evidence from outside the United Kingdom to a magistrates’ court in Northern Ireland in certain proceedings by way of live television link to the courtroom.
The provisions in section 92 are enabling powers to allow secondary legislation to be prepared to create a statutory framework for the management of cases. Through regulation, the Department of Justice will be able to impose duties on the prosecution, defence, and the court, which set out what must be completed prior to the commencement of court stages.
The Order also makes saving provision in relation to the establishment of a single jurisdiction.