Order laid before the Assembly under section 2(3) of the Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978, and subject to affirmative resolution of the Assembly

Statutory Rules of Northern Ireland

2020 No. 248

Court Of Judicature, Northern Ireland

The Maximum Number of Judges Order (Northern Ireland) 2020

Made

11th November 2020

Coming into operation in accordance with Article 1

The Department of Justice makes the following Order in exercise of the power conferred by section 2(3) of the Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978(1).

The Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission has agreed to the making of this Order.

Citation and commencement

1.  This Order may be cited as the Maximum Number of Judges Order (Northern Ireland) 2020 and comes into operation on the day after the day on which it is affirmed by resolution of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Amendment of the Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978

2.  In section 2(1)(2) of the Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978 (the High Court: maximum number of judges) for "ten" substitute "fifteen".

Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Justice on 11th November 2020

Legal seal

Naomi R. Long

Minister of Justice

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order amends section 2(1) of the Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978 (1978 c. 23) to increase from ten to fifteen the maximum number of puisne judges in Her Majesty's High Court of Justice in Northern Ireland.

(1)

1978 c. 23, as amended by the Northern Ireland Act 2009 (c. 3) and the Department of Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 (c. 3 (N.I.)).

(2)

Relevant amendments are S.I. 2004/1985, S.I. 2001/958 and S.I. 1993/606.