Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978

54 The [F1 Court of Judicature] Rules Committee. U.K.

(1) There shall be a committee known as the Northern Ireland [F1 Court of Judicature] Rules Committee (in this Act referred to as the Rules Committee) which, subject to subsection (2), shall consist of—

(a) the Lord Chief Justice who shall be chairman;

(b) four judges of the High Court or the Court of Appeal nominated from time to time by the Lord Chief Justice;

(c) a practising member of the Bar of Northern Ireland nominated by the Lord Chancellor;

(d) [F2 a] practising member of the Bar of Northern Ireland nominated by the Council thereof;

(e) the president of the Incorporated Law Society of Northern Ireland or a member of the Council thereof nominated by him; F3 ...

(f) a practising solicitor nominated by that Council,

[F4 (g) the Attorney General for Northern Ireland or a practising member of the Bar of Northern Ireland or a practising solicitor nominated by the Attorney General for Northern Ireland,]

and shall have the functions conferred on it in relation to the making of rules of court by section 55.

(2) Where any member of the Rules Committee is unable to act, the Lord Chief Justice or, in the case of a member nominated by any other authority or body, that authority or body may nominate another qualified person to act temporarily in his place.

(3) Rules of court may be made and other powers of the Rules Committee exercised at a meeting of the Rules Committee by a majority consisting of not less than four members of whom the chairman of the meeting shall be one.

(4) In the absence of the Lord Chief Justice, the senior judge present shall be chairman of the meeting.

(5) The joint secretaries to the Rules Committee shall be [F5 the Principal Secretary to the Lord Chief Justice and a person designated by the Lord Chancellor.].

(6) Any expenses incurred by the Rules Committee shall be paid by the Lord Chancellor.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 54(1) and heading substituted (1.10.2009) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 59, 148, Sch. 11 para. 6(1); S.I. 2009/1604, art. 2(d)

F2 Word in s. 54(1)(d) substituted (N.I.) (5.7.2011) by Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 (c. 24), ss. 97(1), 111(3); S.R. 2011/224, art. 2

F3 Word in s. 54(1)(e) repealed (N.I.) (5.7.2011) by Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 (c. 24), ss. 97(1), 111(3), Sch. 8 Pt. 5; S.R. 2011/224, art. 2

F4 S. 54(1)(g) inserted (N.I.) (5.7.2011) by Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 (c. 24), ss. 97(1), 111(3); S.R. 2011/224, art. 2

F5 Words in s. 54(5) substituted (15.10.2002) by 2002 c. 26, s. 17(3); S.R. 2002/319, art. 2 Sch.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 54(1)(c) transfer of functions (12.4.2010) by The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/976), art. 1(2), Sch. 17 para. 6(d) (with arts. 28-31)

C2 S. 54(1)(d)-(f) amendment to earlier amending provision 2002 c. 26, s. 73(1) (12.4.2010) by The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/976), art. 1(2), Sch. 18 para. 66(a) (with arts. 28-31)

C3 S. 54(5) transfer of functions (12.4.2010) by The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/976), art. 1(2), Sch. 17 para. 6(d) (with arts. 28-31)

C4 S. 54(6) transfer of functions (12.4.2010) by The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/976), art. 1(2), Sch. 17 para. 6(d) (with arts. 28-31)