(This note is not part of the Order)
Sections 1 to 8 of, and Schedule 1 to, the Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Act 2007 (c. 6) (the “2007 Act”) provide for trial on indictment without a jury (“the non-jury trial provisions”). Section 9(1) of the 2007 Act provides that the non-jury trial provisions expire at the end of the period of two years beginning with the day on which section 1 of the 2007 Act comes into force (“the effective period”). Section 1 came into force on 1st August 2007. Section 9(2) enables the Secretary of State to extend the effective period by order. Section 9(3)(b) provides that the effect of such an order is to extend the effective period for two years beginning with the time when the effective period would end but for the order.
The initial effective period ran until 31st July 2009. The effective period was subsequently extended by S.I. 2009/2090 so as to end on 31st July 2011, by S.I. 2011/1720 so as to end on 31st July 2013, by S.I. 2013/1619 so as to end on 31st July 2015, by S.I. 2015/1572 so as to end on 31st July 2017, by S.I. 2017/798 so as to end on 31st July 2019 and by S.I. 2019/1097 so as to end on 31st July 2021.
Article 2 of this Order further extends the effective period so that the non-jury trial provisions will expire on 31st July 2023.
A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sector is foreseen.