2003 No. 435 (N.I. 10)

Access to Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2003C3C4

Annotations:
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C3

Order power to amend conferred (1.9.2012) by Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 (c. 24), ss. 90(2)(c), 111(3); S.R. 2012/214, art. 4

C1

Order: functions transferred from Lord Chancellor to the Department of Justice (except for para. 17 of Sch. 1) (12.4.2010) by Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/976), arts. 1(2), 15(1), Sch. 17 para. 53 (with arts. 15(6), 28-31); S.I. 2010/977, art. 1(2)

PART ICITATION, COMMENCEMENT AND INTERPRETATION

Citation and commencement1

1

This Order may be cited as the Access to Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2003.

P12

Except as provided by paragraph (3), this Order shall come into operation on such day or days as the Lord Chancellor may by order appoint.

3

The following provisions come into operation on the expiration of one month from the date on which this Order is made—

a

this Part,

b

Article 45,

c

Article 46(4) to (6), and

d

Article 48(1).

Interpretation2

1

The Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954F1 shall apply to Article 1 and the following provisions of this Order as it applies to an Act of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

2

In this Order—

  • “advice” means any oral or written advice—

    1. a

      on the application of the law to any particular circumstances that have arisen in relation to the individual seeking the advice; and

    2. b

      as to any steps which that person might appropriately take, having regard to the application of the law to those circumstances;

  • “assistance” means any assistance (other than advocacy) to any individual in taking any of the steps which an individual might take, including steps with respect to proceedings, having regard to the application of the law to any particular circumstances that have arisen in relation to him, whether the assistance is given by taking such steps on his behalf or by assisting him in taking them on his own behalf;

  • F2“child” has the meaning given by Article 2(2) of the Criminal Justice (Children) (Northern Ireland) Order 1998;

  • “civil legal services” has the meaning given by Article 10;

  • F98...

  • “court-ordered youth conference” has the meaning given by Article 33A(5) of the Criminal Justice (Children) (Northern Ireland) Order 1998;

  • “criminal defence services” has the meaning given by Article 21(1);

  • F64the Department” means the Department of Justice;

  • the Director” means the Director of Legal Aid Casework designated under section 2 of the Legal Aid and Coroners' Courts Act (Northern Ireland) 2014;

  • “diversionary youth conference” has the meaning given by Article 10A(2) of the Criminal Justice (Children) (Northern Ireland) Order 1998;

  • “the Law Society” means the Law Society of Northern Ireland;

  • F3“magistrates' court” has the meaning assigned to that expression by Article 2(2)(b) of the Magistrates' Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981;

  • “prescribed” means prescribed by regulations;

  • “regulations” means regulations made by the Lord Chancellor;

  • “relevant proceedings” has the meaning given by Article 25;

  • “representation” means representation for the purposes of proceedings and includes—

    1. a

      all such assistance as is usually given by a solicitor or counsel in the steps preliminary or incidental to any proceedings;

    2. b

      in the case of civil proceedings, all such assistance as is usually so given in arriving at or giving effect to a compromise to avoid or bring to an end any proceedings;

  • “solicitor” means a solicitor of theF4Court of Judicature;

  • F5“statutory provision” has the meaning assigned to it by section 1(f) of the Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954;

  • “tribunal” includes an inquiry or proceedings before an arbitrator or umpire, however appointed, whether such inquiry or proceedings take place under a reference by consent or otherwise.

F1553

References to counsel and solicitors shall be construed in accordance with—

a

article 10 of the European Communities (Services of Lawyers) Order 1978 as it has effect by virtue of regulation 5 of the Services of Lawyers and Lawyer’s Practice (Revocation etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020; and

b

regulation 14 of the European Communities (Lawyer’s Practice) Regulations 2000 as it has effect by virtue of regulation 6 of the Services of Lawyers and Lawyer’s Practice (Revocation etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020.

F130PART 2CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES AND CRIMINAL DEFENCE SERVICES

Annotations:

Functions of the Department: general

F131Exercise of functions of the Department under this Part3

The Department shall exercise its functions under this Part for the purpose of—

a

securing (within the resources made available, and priorities set, in accordance with this Part) that individuals have access to civil legal services that effectively meet their needs, and promoting the availability to individuals of such services; and

b

securing that individuals involved in criminal investigations or relevant proceedings have access to such criminal defence services as the interests of justice require.

Membership of the CommissionF994

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Power to replace Commission with two bodiesF1005

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PlanningI36

1

The F101Department shall inform itself about—

a

the need for, and the provision of, civil legal services and criminal defence services, and

b

the quality of the services provided.

2

F102The Department shall plan what can be done towards meeting that need by the performance by F102the Department and the Director of their relevant functions .

3

The F103Department may co-operate with such authorities and other bodies and persons as it considers appropriate in facilitating the planning of what can be done by them to meet that need by the use of any resources available to them.

F1043A

In this Article and Article 7 “relevant functions” means—

a

in relation to any time after the coming into operation of Article 21, functions under this Order; and

b

in relation to any time before the coming into operation of Article 21, functions under this Order and under Part 3 of the Legal Aid, Advice and Assistance (Northern Ireland) Order 1981.

F1054

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F1055

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Powers of Commission7

1

Subject to the provisions of this Part and Article 41, the F108Department may do anything which it considers—

a

is necessary or appropriate for, or for facilitating, the discharge of its F109relevant functions , or

b

is incidental or conducive to the discharge of F110those functions.

2

In particular, the F111Department shall have power under paragraph (1)

a

to enter into any contract,

b

to make grants (with or without conditions),

c

to make loans,

d

to invest money,

e

to promote or assist in the promotion of publicity relating to F112relevant functions ,

f

to undertake any inquiry or investigation which it may consider appropriate in relation to the discharge of any of F112relevant functions , F113...

F113g

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3

Paragraphs (1) and (2) do not confer on the F114Department power to borrow money.

F1154

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F1155

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I16

In considering any question as to the remuneration of persons or bodies providing civil legal services or criminal defence services (whether in individual cases, or by reference to the provision of such services in specified numbers of cases), the F116Department or the Director shall have regard, among the matters which are relevant, to—

a

the time and skill which the provision of services of the description to which the question relates requires;

b

the number and general level of competence of persons providing those services;

c

the cost to public funds of the remuneration of persons or bodies providing those services; and

d

the need to secure value for money.

I17

Where the F117Department sets fees which are to be paid to persons or bodies in respect of the provision of services by them, nothing in paragraph (6) requires it to have regard to any fee payable, otherwise than in accordance with this Order, in respect of the provision of such services.

GuidanceF1068

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Northern Ireland law and foreign lawI49

1

The F107Department may not fund—

a

civil legal services, or

b

criminal defence services,

relating to any law other than that of Northern Ireland, unless any such law is relevant for determining any issue relating to the law of Northern Ireland.

2

But the Lord Chancellor may, if it appears to him necessary to do so for the purpose of fulfilling any obligation imposed on the United Kingdom by any international agreement, by order specify that such civil legal services or criminal defence services as are specified in the order, relating to the application of such other law as may be so specified, may be funded by the F107Department .

3

For the purposes of the application of paragraph (2) in the case of an obligation to provide for the transmission to other countries of applications for public funding of legal services under their laws, the reference to civil legal services or criminal defence services relating to the application of other laws includes a reference to advice or assistance for the purposes of making and transmitting such an application.

Criminal defence services

Criminal defence services21

1

The Commission shall establish and maintain a fund from which it shall fund—

a

advice and assistance in accordance with Article 23, and

I27b

representation in accordance with Articles 24 and 30,

and in this Order services which can be so funded are referred to as “criminal defence services”.

I272

The Lord Chancellor shall pay to the Commission such sums as are required to meet the costs of any criminal defence services funded by the Commission.

3

The Lord Chancellor may—

a

determine the manner in which and times at which the sums referred to in paragraph (2) shall be paid to the Commission, and

b

impose conditions on the payment of the sums.

4

In funding criminal defence services the Commission shall aim to obtain the best possible value for money.

5

The Commission shall pay into the fund established under paragraph (1)—

a

sums received from the Lord Chancellor under paragraph (2),

b

sums received by the Commission by virtue of an order by a court under Article 31,

c

sums received by the Commission by virtue of an order by a court under section 4 or 6 of the Costs in Criminal Cases Act (Northern Ireland) 1968F6, and

C2d

such other receipts of the Commission as the Lord Chancellor may, with the concurrence of the Treasury, determine.

6

Where the Commission considers that the amount in the fund established under paragraph (1) significantly exceeds the amount which will be paid out before the next payment by the Lord Chancellor under paragraph (2), it shall—

a

inform the Lord Chancellor, and

b

if he so directs, pay to the Lord Chancellor so much of the excess as is specified in the direction.

Criminal defence services: code of conduct22

1

The Commission shall prepare a code of conduct to be observed by employees of the Commission, and employees of any body established and maintained by the Commission, in the provision of criminal defence services.

2

The code shall include—

a

duties imposed in accordance with any scheme made by the Commission under Schedule 9 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998F7 (equality schemes),

b

duties to protect the interests of the individuals for whom criminal defence services are provided,

c

duties to the court,

d

duties to avoid conflicts of interest, and

e

duties of confidentiality,

and duties on employees who are members of a professional body to comply with the rules of the body.

3

The Commission may from time to time prepare a revised version of the code.

4

Before preparing or revising the code the Commission shall consult the Law Society and the General Council of the Bar of Northern Ireland and such other bodies or persons as it considers appropriate.

5

After preparing the code or a revised version of the code the Commission shall send a copy to the Lord Chancellor.

6

If he approves it he shall lay it before F8the Assembly.

7

The Commission shall publish—

a

the code as first approved by the Lord Chancellor, and

b

where he approves a revised version, either the revisions or the revised code as appropriate.

8

The code, and any revised version of the code, shall not come into force until it has been approved by a resolution of F9the Assembly.

Advice and assistance23

1

The Commission shall fund such advice and assistance as it considers appropriate—

a

for individuals who are arrested and held in custody at a police station or other premises, and

b

in prescribed circumstances, for individuals who—

i

are not within sub-paragraph (a) but are involved in investigations which may lead to relevant proceedings,

I33ii

are before a court or other body in such proceedings, or

I33iii

have been the subject of such proceedings.

2

The Commission may comply with the duty imposed by paragraph (1) by—

a

entering into contracts with persons or bodies for the provision of advice or assistance by them,

b

making payments to persons or bodies in respect of the provision of advice or assistance by them,

c

making grants or loans to persons or bodies to enable them to provide, or facilitate the provision of, advice or assistance,

d

establishing and maintaining bodies to provide, or facilitate the provision of, advice or assistance,

e

making grants to individuals to enable them to obtain advice or assistance,

f

employing persons to provide advice or assistance, or

g

doing anything else which it considers appropriate for funding advice and assistance.

I333

The Lord Chancellor may by order require the Commission to discharge the function in paragraph (2) in accordance with the order.

4

The Commission may fund advice and assistance by different means—

a

in different areas in Northern Ireland, and

b

in relation to different descriptions of cases.

Representation24

I281

The Commission shall fund representation to which an individual has been granted a right in accordance with Articles 25 to 29.

2

Subject to the following provisions, the Commission may comply with the duty imposed by paragraph (1) by—

a

entering into contracts with persons or bodies for the provision of representation by them,

b

making payments to persons or bodies in respect of the provision of representation by them,

c

making grants or loans to persons or bodies to enable them to provide, or facilitate the provision of, representation,

d

establishing and maintaining bodies to provide, or facilitate the provision of, representation,

e

making grants to individuals to enable them to obtain representation,

f

employing persons to provide representation, or

g

doing anything else which it considers appropriate for funding representation.

I283

The Lord Chancellor—

a

shall by order make provision about the payments which may be made by the Commission in respect of any representation provided by non-contracted private practitioners, F125...

F125b

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I284

For the purposes of paragraph (3)(a) representation is provided by a non-contracted private practitioner if it is provided, otherwise than pursuant to a contract entered into by the Commission, by a person or body which is neither—

a

a person or body in receipt of grants or loans made by the Commission under paragraph (2), nor

b

the Commission itself or a body established or maintained by the Commission.

I285

The provision which the Lord Chancellor is required to make by order under paragraph (3)(a) includes provision for reviews of, or appeals against, determinations for the purposes of the order.

6

The Commission may fund representation by different means—

a

in different areas in Northern Ireland, and

b

in relation to different descriptions of cases.

Individuals to whom right to representation may be granted25

1

A right to representation may be granted—

I29a

for the purposes of any kind of proceedings specified in paragraph (2), to an individual such as is mentioned in that paragraph in relation to that kind of proceedings;

I29b

to an individual for the purposes of enabling him to resist an appeal in proceedings specified in paragraph (2) otherwise than in an official capacity;

c

for the purposes of a diversionary youth conference, to a child with respect to whom the conference has been, or is to be, convened,

d

to an individual for the purposes of proceedings concerning him which are of such a kind, and are before such court or other body, as may be prescribed,

and in this Order proceedings mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (d) are referred to as “relevant proceedings”.

2

The proceedings referred to in paragraph (1)(a) and (b) are—

a

proceedings before any court for dealing with an individual accused of an offence,

b

proceedings before—

I29i

any court, or

ii

the F10Parole Commissioners for Northern Ireland,

for dealing with an individual convicted of an offence (including proceedings in respect of a sentence or order),

F11c

proceedings for dealing with an individual under Part I or II of the Extradition Act 2003 (c.41);

d

proceedings for binding an individual over to keep the peace or to be of good behaviour under Article 127 of the Magistrates' Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981, and for dealing with an individual who fails to comply with an order under that Article,

I29e

proceedings on an appeal brought by an individual under section 47A of the Criminal Appeal (Northern Ireland) Act 1980F12,

I29f

proceedings for contempt committed, or alleged to have been committed, by an individual in the face of a court, and

g

proceedings for dealing with an individual in respect of whom an application has been made under—

i

Article 44 or 45 of the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989F13, or

ii

paragraph 29 or 36 of Schedule 8 to the Terrorism Act 2000F14,

but do not include any proceedings for a writ of habeas corpus or other prerogative remedy.

F11h

proceedings under Part XIIIA of the Prison and Young Offenders Centre Rules (Northern Ireland) 1995 (No. 8).

Grant of right to representation by court26

I301

A court before which any relevant proceedings take place, or are to take place, has power to grant a right to representation in respect of those proceedings except in such circumstances as may be prescribed.

I342

Where a right to representation is granted for the purposes of relevant proceedings then, subject to paragraph (5)—

a

it includes the right to representation for the purposes of any related bail proceedings, any related court-ordered youth conference, and any preliminary or incidental proceedings; and regulations may make provision specifying whether any proceedings are or are not to be regarded as preliminary or incidental; and

b

it includes the right to such advice and assistance, as to any appeal, as may be prescribed.

I343

A court also has power to grant a right to representation for the purposes of relevant proceedings before another court in such circumstances as may be prescribed.

4

A magistrates' court also has power to grant a right to representation for the purposes of a diversionary youth conference.

I345

A court has power to grant representation for a limited period, for the purposes of specified proceedings only or for the purposes of limited aspects of proceedings, and to vary or remove any limitation imposed on representation.

6

Regulations may make provision—

a

as to the form of any application for a grant of a right to representation under this Article;

b

as to the information which must be supplied with any such application;

c

as to the form of any grant of a right to representation under this Article;

d

requiring the court granting a right to representation under this Article to indicate the grounds on which the right was granted.

7

Before making any regulations under paragraph (6) the Lord Chancellor shall consult the Lord Chief Justice.

I308

The refusal of a right to representation before a hearing shall not prevent the applicant being granted a right to representation at the hearing.

9

A right to representation in respect of proceedings may be withdrawn—

a

by any court before which the proceedings take place, or

b

in the case of a diversionary youth conference, by a magistrates' court;

and a court must consider whether to withdraw a right to representation in such circumstances as may be prescribed.

10

In this Article “court” includes any body before which relevant proceedings take place.

Grant of right to representation by Commission27

1

Regulations may provide that the Commission shall have power to grant rights to representation in respect of any one or more of the descriptions of proceedings prescribed under Article 25(1)(d), and to withdraw any rights to representation granted by it.

2

Regulations under paragraph (1) may provide that the Commission shall have power to grant representation for a limited period or for the purposes of specified proceedings only or for the purposes of limited aspects of proceedings, and to vary or remove any limitation imposed on representation.

3

Regulations under paragraph (1) may make provision—

a

as to the form of any application for a grant of a right to representation under those regulations;

b

as to the information which must be supplied with any such application;

c

as to the form of any grant of a right to representation under those regulations;

d

requiring the Commission to indicate the grounds on which any right to representation is granted under those regulations.

Appeals28

Except where regulations otherwise provide, an appeal shall lie to such court or other person or body as may be prescribed against a decision—

a

to refuse a right to representation in respect of relevant proceedings;

b

to impose or vary a limitation on such a right;

c

not to extend such a right; or

d

to withdraw such a right.

Criteria for grant of right to representationI3129

1

Any question as to whether a right to representation should be granted or extended, or whether a limitation on representation should be imposed, varied or removed, shall be determined according to the interests of justice.

2

In deciding what the interests of justice consist of in relation to any individual, the following factors must be taken into account—

a

whether the individual would, if any matter arising in the proceedings is decided against him, be likely to lose his liberty or livelihood or suffer serious damage to his reputation,

b

whether the determination of any matter arising in the proceedings may involve consideration of a substantial question of law,

c

whether the individual may be unable to understand the proceedings or to state his own case,

d

whether the proceedings may involve the tracing, interviewing or expert cross-examination of witnesses on behalf of the individual, and

e

whether it is in the interests of another person that the individual be represented.

3

The Lord Chancellor may by order amend paragraph (2) by adding new factors or varying any factor.

4

A right to representation shall always be granted in such circumstances as may be prescribed.

Selection of representative30

I321

An individual who has been granted a right to representation in accordance with Articles 25 to 29 may, subject to Article 35, select any representative or representatives willing to act for him; and, where he does so, the Commission is to comply with the duty imposed by Article 24 by funding representation by the selected representative or representatives.

2

Regulations may provide that in prescribed circumstances—

a

the right conferred by paragraph (1) is not to apply in cases of prescribed descriptions,

b

an individual who has been provided with advice or assistance funded by the Commission under Article 23 by a person whom he chose to provide it for him is to be taken to have selected that person as his representative pursuant to that right,

c

that right is not to include a right to select a representative of a prescribed description,

d

that right is to select only a registered person within the meaning of Article 36, or only a representative of a prescribed description,

e

that right is to select not more than a prescribed number of representatives to act at any one time,

f

that right is not to include a right to select a representative in place of a representative previously selected.

3

Regulations under paragraph (2)(b) may prescribe circumstances in which an individual is to be taken to have chosen a person to provide advice or assistance for him.

4

Regulations under paragraph (2) may not provide that only a person employed by the Commission, or by a body established and maintained by the Commission, may be selected.

5

Regulations may provide that in prescribed circumstances the Commission is not required to fund, or to continue to fund, representation for an individual by a particular representative (but such provision shall not prejudice any right of the individual to select another representative).

6

The circumstances which may be prescribed by regulations under paragraph (2) or (5) include that a determination has been made by a prescribed body or person.

7

A representative who has been selected to act for an individual under this paragraph may select another person to act for that individual, as the agent of the representative, if that other person is of such a description that nothing in Article 35 would prohibit the individual selecting him as his representative.

Terms of provision of funded services31

1

An individual for whom criminal defence services are funded by the Commission shall not be required to make any payment in respect of the services except where paragraph (2) applies.

2

Where representation for an individual in respect of relevant proceedings in any court is funded by the Commission under Article 24, the court may, subject to regulations under paragraph (3), make an order requiring him to pay some or all of the cost of any representation so funded for him (in proceedings in that or any other court, or in any related court-ordered youth conference).

3

Regulations may make provision about—

a

the descriptions of courts by which, and individuals against whom, an order under paragraph (2) may be made,

b

the circumstances in which such an order may be made and the principles to be applied in deciding whether to make such an order and the amount to be paid,

c

the determination of the cost of representation for the purposes of the making of such an order,

d

the furnishing of information and evidence to the court or the Commission for the purpose of enabling the court to decide whether to make such an order and (if so) the amount to be paid,

e

prohibiting individuals who are required to furnish information or evidence from dealing with property until they have furnished the information or evidence or until a decision whether to make an order, or the amount to be paid, has been made,

f

rights of appeal against such an order,

g

the person or body to which, and manner in which, payments required by such an order must be made and what that person or body is to do with them, and

h

the enforcement of such an order (including provision for the imposition of charges in respect of unpaid amounts).

Supplementary

Restriction of disclosure of informationI1332

1

Information which is furnished—

a

to the F86Department or any court, tribunal or other person or body on whom functions are imposed or conferred by or under this Part, and

b

in connection with the case of an individual seeking or receiving civil legal services or criminal defence services funded by the F86Department ,

shall not be disclosed except as permitted by regulations.

2

Paragraph (1) does not limit the disclosure of—

a

information in the form of a summary or collection of information so framed as not to enable information relating to any individual to be ascertained from it, or

b

information about the amount of any grant, loan or other payment made to any person or body by the F86Department .

3

Paragraph (1) does not prevent the disclosure of information for any purpose with the consent of the individual in connection with whose case it was furnished and, where he did not furnish it himself, with that of the person or body who did.

4

A person who discloses any information in contravention of this Article shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.

5

Proceedings for an offence under this Article shall not be brought except by or with the consent of the Attorney General.

6

Nothing in this Article applies to information furnished to a person providing civil legal services or criminal defence services funded by the F86Department by or on behalf of an individual seeking or receiving such services.

Misrepresentation etc.I1433

1

Any person who—

a

intentionally fails to comply with any requirement imposed by virtue of this Part as to the information to be furnished by him, or

b

in furnishing any information required by virtue of this Part makes any statement or representation which he knows or believes to be false,

shall be guilty of an offence.

2

A person guilty of an offence under paragraph (1) is liable on summary conviction to—

a

a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale, or

b

imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months,

or to both.

3

Notwithstanding any statutory provision prescribing the period within which summary proceedings may be commenced, proceedings in respect of an offence under paragraph (1) may be commenced at any time within the period of six months beginning with the date on which evidence, sufficient in the opinion of the Attorney General to justify a prosecution for the offence, comes to his knowledge.

4

But paragraph (3) does not authorise the commencement of proceedings for an offence at a time more than two years after the date on which the offence was committed.

5

For the purposes of paragraph (3) a certificate purporting to be signed by the Attorney General as to the date on which evidence such as is mentioned in that paragraph has come to his knowledge, shall be conclusive evidence thereof.

6

A county court shall, notwithstanding any limitation imposed on the jurisdiction of a county court under any other statutory provision, have jurisdiction to hear and determine any action brought by the F118Department to recover loss sustained by reason of—

a

the failure of any person to comply with any requirement imposed by virtue of this Part as to the information to be furnished by him, or

b

a false statement or false representation made by any person in furnishing any information required by virtue of this Part.

Position of service providers and other parties etc.I1534

1

Except as expressly provided by regulations, the fact that civil legal services or criminal defence services provided for an individual are or could be funded by the F119Department , shall not affect—

a

the relationship between that individual and the person by whom they are provided or any privilege arising out of that relationship, or

b

any right which that individual may have to be indemnified, in respect of expenses incurred by him, by any other person.

2

A person who provides civil legal services or criminal defence services funded by the F119Department shall not take any payment in respect of the services apart from—

a

that made by way of that funding, and

b

any authorised by the F119Department to be taken.

3

Where civil legal services funded by the F119Department are provided in connection with any proceedings, any expenses incurred in connection with the proceedings, so far as they would ordinarily be paid in the first instance by or on behalf of the person providing the services, shall be so paid except where they are paid by the F119Department .

4

The withdrawal of a right to representation previously granted to an individual shall not affect the right of any person who has provided to him civil legal services or criminal defence services funded by the F119Department to remuneration for work done before the date of the withdrawal.

5

Except as expressly provided by regulations, any rights conferred by or by virtue of this Part on an individual for whom civil legal services or criminal defence services are funded by the F119Department in relation to any proceedings shall not affect—

a

the rights or liabilities of other parties to the proceedings, or

b

the principles on which the discretion of any court or tribunal is normally exercised.

6

Regulations may make provision about the procedure of any court or tribunal in relation to civil legal services or criminal defence services funded by the F119Department .

7

Regulations made under paragraph (6) may in particular authorise the exercise of the functions of any court or tribunal by any member or officer of that or any other court or tribunal.

Solicitors and barristersI1635

1

The F120Department shall not fund any civil legal services or criminal defence services provided by a solicitor who is for the time being prohibited from providing such services by an order under Article 51B(1) or (3) of the Solicitors (Northern Ireland) Order 1976F15.

2

The F120Department shall not fund any civil legal services or criminal defence services provided by a barrister who is for the time being prohibited from providing such services by any determination of the General Council of the Bar of Northern Ireland, or by any determination of any such committee as may be established by that Council to determine charges preferred against barristers.

3

The F120Department

a

may make a complaint to the Law Society about the provision of civil legal services or criminal defence services by a solicitor;

b

may refer to the Law Society any complaint which is made to the F120Department about the provision of such services by a solicitor;

c

may make a complaint to the General Council of the Bar of Northern Ireland about the provision of civil legal services or criminal defence services by a barrister; and

d

may refer to the General Council of the Bar of Northern Ireland any complaint which is made to the F120Department about the provision of such services by a barrister.

4

Any right conferred on an individual by virtue of this Part to select a person to provide civil legal services or criminal defence services for him shall not prejudice the law and practice relating to the conduct of proceedings by a solicitor or barrister or the circumstances in which a solicitor or counsel may refuse or give up a case or entrust it to another.

Register of persons providing servicesI1736

1

Regulations may—

a

make provision for the registration by the F87Department of persons who are eligible to provide civil legal services or criminal defence services funded by the F87Department ;

b

provide that only those persons who are registered ( “registered persons”) may provide such services; and

c

require registration of firms or organisations with which registered persons are connected.

2

Regulations may require the F87Department to prepare a code of practice in relation to—

a

the conditions to be complied with in order to qualify for registration, and

b

the carrying out by registered persons, and any firm or organisation which is registered in connection with a registered person, of their functions with regard to civil legal services or criminal defence services funded by the F87Department .

3

Regulations—

a

may require registered persons, and any firm or organisation which is registered in connection with a registered person, to comply with any such code of practice;

b

F88may require the F87Department or persons authorised by the F87Department to monitor compliance with any such code of practice; and

c

may make provision about procedures for cases in which—

i

it appears to the F87Department or a person authorised by the F87Department that a registered person, or any firm or organisation which is registered in connection with a registered person, may not be complying with any such code of practice, or

ii

a person who holds any judicial office asks the F87Department to investigate whether a registered person, or any firm or organisation which is registered in connection with a registered person, is complying with any such code of practice,

and the sanctions which may be imposed under this sub-paragraph may include provision for a person, firm or organisation to cease to be registered.

4

Regulations under this Article—

a

may make provision imposing charges;

b

may make provision with respect to the powers of investigation which may be exercised by the F87Department , or by persons authorised by the F87Department , for the purpose of monitoring compliance with any code of practice prepared under the regulations;

c

may make provision for obstruction of the exercise of powers conferred by virtue of sub-paragraph (b) to be certified to the High Court in prescribed circumstances, and for any power of the court in relation to contempt of court to be exercisable in relation to such obstruction.

5

Before making any regulations under this Article the Lord Chancellor—

a

shall consult the Lord Chief Justice, the Law Society and the General Council of the Bar of Northern Ireland, and

b

may undertake such other consultation as appears to him to be appropriate.

PART IIIOTHER FUNDING OF LEGAL SERVICES

Conditional fee and litigation funding agreements

Interpretation of Part III37

1

In this Part—

  • “advocacy services” means any services which it would be reasonable to expect a person who is exercising, or contemplating exercising, a right of audience in relation to any proceedings, or contemplated proceedings, to provide;

  • “a conditional fee agreement” is an agreement with a person providing advocacy or litigation services which provides for his fees and expenses, or any part of them, to be payable only in specified circumstances;

  • “a litigation funding agreement” is an agreement under which—

    1. a

      a person ( “the funder”) agrees to fund (in whole or in part) the provision of advocacy or litigation services (by someone other than the funder) to another person ( “the litigant”); and

    2. b

      the litigant agrees to pay, in addition to any fee payable on the making of the agreement, a sum to the funder in specified circumstances;

  • “litigation services” means any services which it would be reasonable to expect a person who is exercising, or contemplating exercising, a right to conduct litigation in relation to any proceedings, or contemplated proceedings, to provide;

  • “proceedings” includes any sort of proceedings for resolving disputes (and not just proceedings in a court), whether commenced or contemplated;

  • “a right of audience” means the right to appear before and address a court including the right to call and examine witnesses;

  • “a right to conduct litigation” means the right—

    1. c

      to issue proceedings before any court, and

    2. d

      to perform any ancillary functions in relation to proceedings (such as entering appearances to actions).

2

For the purposes of this Part, a conditional fee agreement provides for a success fee if it provides for the amount of any fees to which it applies to be increased, in specified circumstances, above the amount which would be payable if it were not payable only in specified circumstances.

Conditional fee agreements38

1

A conditional fee agreement which satisfies all of the conditions applicable to it by virtue of this Article shall not be unenforceable by reason only of its being a conditional fee agreement; but (subject to paragraph (4)) any other conditional fee agreement shall be unenforceable.

2

The following conditions are applicable to every conditional fee agreement—

a

it must be in writing;

b

it must not relate to proceedings which cannot be the subject of an enforceable conditional fee agreement; and

c

it must comply with such requirements (if any) as may be prescribed.

3

The following further conditions are applicable to a conditional fee agreement which provides for a success fee—

a

it must relate to proceedings of a description specified by order made by the Lord Chancellor;

b

it must state the percentage by which the amount of fees which would be payable if it were not a conditional fee agreement is to be increased; and

c

that percentage must not exceed the percentage specified in relation to the description of proceedings to which the agreement relates by order made by the Lord Chancellor.

4

If a conditional fee agreement is an agreement to which Article 71A of the Solicitors (Northern Ireland) Order 1976F16 (non-contentious business agreements between solicitor and client) applies, paragraph (1) shall not make it unenforceable.

Conditional fee agreements: supplementary39

1

The proceedings which cannot be the subject of an enforceable conditional fee agreement are—

a

criminal proceedings; and

b

family proceedings.

2

In paragraph (1) “family proceedings” means proceedings under any one or more of the following—

a

the Matrimonial Causes (Northern Ireland) Order 1978F17;

b

the Domestic Proceedings (Northern Ireland) Order 1980F18;

c

the Adoption (Northern Ireland) Order 1987F19;

d

Part IV of the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings (Northern Ireland) Order 1989F20;

e

Parts II, III, V and XV of the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995F21;

f

the Family Homes and Domestic Violence (Northern Ireland) Order 1998F22,

F23g

Chapter 2 of Part 4 of, or Schedules 15, 16 or 17 to the Civil Partnership Act 2004,

F24h

Schedule 1 to the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007,

and the inherent jurisdiction of the High Court in relation to children.

3

The Lord Chancellor may by regulations amend paragraph (1) or (2) by adding proceedings or omitting or varying any proceedings; and regulations under this paragraph may, in particular, describe the proceedings which cannot be the subject of an enforceable conditional fee agreement by reference to the court or tribunal before which proceedings are to take place, or the issues involved.

4

The requirements which the Lord Chancellor may prescribe under Article 38(2)(c)—

a

include requirements for the person providing advocacy or litigation services to have provided prescribed information before the agreement is made; and

b

may be different for different descriptions of conditional fee agreements (and, in particular, may be different for those which provide for a success fee and those which do not).

5

Before making an order under Article 38(3), the Lord Chancellor—

a

shall consult the Lord Chief Justice, the Law Society and the General Council of the Bar of Northern Ireland, and

b

may undertake such other consultation as appears to him to be appropriate.

6

A costs order made in any proceedings may, subject in the case of court proceedings to rules of court, include provision requiring the payment of fees payable under a conditional fee agreement which provides for a success fee.

7

Rules of court may make provision with respect to the assessment of any costs which include fees payable under a conditional fee agreement (including one which provides for a success fee).

Litigation funding agreements40

1

A litigation funding agreement which satisfies all of the conditions applicable to it by virtue of this Article shall not be unenforceable by reason only of its being a litigation funding agreement.

2

The following conditions are applicable to a litigation funding agreement—

a

the funder must be a prescribed person or a person of a prescribed description;

b

the agreement must be in writing;

c

the agreement must not relate to proceedings which by virtue of Article 39(1) and (2) cannot be the subject of an enforceable conditional fee agreement or to proceedings of any such description as may be prescribed;

d

the agreement must comply with such requirements (if any) as may be prescribed;

e

any fee payable on the making of the agreement must not exceed such amount as may be prescribed;

f

the sum to be paid by the litigant must consist of any costs payable to him in respect of the proceedings to which the agreement relates, together with an amount calculated—

i

in prescribed circumstances, by reference to the funder's anticipated expenditure in funding the provision of the services; and

ii

in prescribed circumstances, by reference to any damages recovered by the litigant in the proceedings; and

g

the amount calculated in accordance with sub-paragraph (f)(i) or (ii) must not exceed such limit (whether expressed as a figure, as a percentage of the anticipated expenditure or damages mentioned in that sub-paragraph, or otherwise) as may be prescribed in relation to proceedings of the description to which the agreement relates.

3

Regulations under paragraph (2)(a) may require a person to be approved by the Lord Chancellor or by a prescribed person.

4

The requirements which may be prescribed under paragraph (2)(d) include requirements for the funder to have provided prescribed information to the litigant before the agreement is made.

5

Before making regulations under this Article, the Lord Chancellor—

a

shall consult the Lord Chief Justice, the Law Society and the General Council of the Bar of Northern Ireland, and

b

may undertake such other consultation as appears to him to be appropriate.

Litigation funding agreements: the Commission41

The Commission, and any body established or maintained by the Commission, may not—

a

fund services under a litigation funding agreement, or

b

make any payment to any person for the purpose of enabling services to be funded under a litigation funding agreement.

Litigation funding agreements: costs42

1

A costs order made in any proceedings may, subject in the case of court proceedings to rules of court, include provision requiring the payment of any amount payable under a litigation funding agreement.

2

Rules of court may make provision with respect to the assessment of any costs which include fees payable under a litigation funding agreement.

3

In any proceedings—

a

to which an individual, for whom advocacy or litigation services relating to the proceedings, or to a part of the proceedings, are funded under a litigation funding agreement, is a party, and

b

which are finally decided in favour of a party for whom such services are not so funded ( “the unfunded party”),

the court by which the proceedings were so decided may, subject to paragraph (4), make an order for the payment by the funder to the unfunded party of the whole or any part of the costs incurred by the unfunded party in the proceedings.

4

An order under paragraph (3) in respect of any costs may only be made if an order for costs would be made in the proceedings apart from this Order.

5

Without prejudice to any other provision restricting appeals from any court, no appeal shall lie against an order under paragraph (3), or against a refusal to make such an order, except on a point of law.

6

In this Article “costs” means costs as between party and party, and includes the costs of applying for an order under paragraph (3).

7

For the purposes of this Article proceedings shall be treated as finally decided in favour of the unfunded party—

a

if no appeal lies against the decision in his favour,

b

if an appeal lies against the decision with leave, and the time limited for applications for leave expires without leave being granted, or

c

if leave to appeal against the decision is granted or is not required, and no appeal is brought within the time limited for appeal,

and where an appeal against the decision is brought out of time the court by which the appeal (or any further appeal in those proceedings) is determined may make an order for the repayment by the unfunded party to the funder of the whole or any part of any sum previously paid to the unfunded party under this Article in respect of those proceedings.

8

Where a court decides any proceedings in favour of the unfunded party and an appeal lies (with or without leave) against that decision, the court may, if it thinks fit, make or refuse to make an order under paragraph (3) forthwith, but if an order is made forthwith it shall not take effect—

a

where leave to appeal is required, unless the time limited for applications for leave to appeal expires without leave being granted;

b

where leave to appeal is granted or is not required, unless the time limited for appeal expires without an appeal being brought.

9

Where a party begins to receive advocacy or litigation services funded by the funder after the proceedings have been instituted, or ceases to receive advocacy or litigation services so funded before they are finally decided, or otherwise receives advocacy or litigation services so funded in connection with part only of the proceedings, the reference in paragraph (3) to the costs incurred by the unfunded party in the proceedings shall be construed as a reference to so much of those costs as is attributable to that part.

10

For the purposes of this Article “court” includes a tribunal.

Costs

Recovery of insurance premiums by way of costs43

Where in any proceedings a costs order is made in favour of any party who has taken out an insurance policy against the risk of incurring a liability in those proceedings, the costs payable to him may, subject in the case of court proceedings to rules of court, include costs in respect of the premium of the policy.

Recovery where body undertakes to meet cost liabilities44

1

This Article applies where a body of a prescribed description undertakes to meet (in accordance with arrangements satisfying prescribed conditions) liabilities which members of the body or other persons who are parties to proceedings may incur to pay the costs of other parties to the proceedings.

2

If in any of the proceedings a costs order is made in favour of any of the members or other persons, the costs payable to him may, subject to paragraph (3) and (in the case of court proceedings) to rules of court, include an additional amount in respect of any provision made by or on behalf of the body in connection with the proceedings against the risk of having to meet such liabilities.

3

But the additional amount shall not exceed a sum determined in a prescribed manner; and there may, in particular, be prescribed as a manner of determination one which takes into account the likely cost to the member or other person of the premium of an insurance policy against the risk of incurring a liability to pay the costs of other parties to the proceedings.

4

Regulations under paragraph (1) may, in particular, prescribe as a description of body one which is for the time being approved by the Lord Chancellor or a prescribed person.

PART IVSUPPLEMENTARY

Application to Crown45

This Order binds the Crown to the full extent authorised or permitted by the constitutional laws of Northern Ireland.

Orders, regulations and directions46

F1211

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F1212

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F1213

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4

Any order or regulations made by the Lord Chancellor under this Order may contain such incidental, supplemental, consequential, saving or transitional provisions as the Lord Chancellor thinks fit; and, without prejudice to section 17(5) of the Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954F25, any power conferred by this Order to make regulations or orders includes power to make different provision for different areas.

5

No order shall be made under Article F12210(2) , 29(3) or 38(3) and no regulations shall be made under Article 12(6), 18(1), 20(2)(b) or (d), F12320A, 28, 30(2)(a) or (5), 32(1), 36 or 39(3) unless a draft of the order or regulations has been laid before, and approved by resolution of, F26the Assembly.

6

Any other order or regulations F89made by the Department under this Order, other than an order under Article 1(2) or 48 F90..., shall be subject toF27 negative resolution.

Remuneration ordersI1847

1

When making any remuneration order the Lord Chancellor shall have regard, among the matters which are relevant, to—

a

the time and skill which the provision of services of the description to which the order relates requires;

b

the number and general level of competence of persons providing those services;

c

the cost to public funds of any provision made by the regulations; and

d

the need to secure value for money.

2

Before making any remuneration order, the Lord Chancellor—

a

shall consult the Lord Chief Justice, the Law Society, the General Council of the Bar of Northern Ireland and, if the remuneration order relates to criminal defence services, the Director of Public Prosecutions, and

b

may undertake such other consultation as appears to him to be appropriate.

3

When the Lord Chancellor is making provision in a remuneration order which prescribes fees which are to be paid to persons or bodies in respect of the provision of services by them, nothing in paragraph (1) requires him to have regard to any fee payable, otherwise than in accordance with a remuneration order, in respect of the provision of such services.

4

In paragraphs (1) to (3) “remuneration order” means an order under Article 12(3), 23(3) or 24(3) which relates to the payment by the F91Department of remuneration—

a

for the provision of services by persons or bodies in individual cases, or

b

by reference to the provision of services by persons or bodies in specified numbers of cases.

5

Until the Attorney General is a person appointed under section 22(2) of the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002F28, the reference in paragraph (2) to the Director of Public Prosecutions shall be construed as a reference to the Attorney General.

Transitional provisions and savings48

1

The Lord Chancellor may by order make such transitional provisions and savings as he considers appropriate in connection with the coming into operation of any provision of this Order.

F1242

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F1243

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Article 49—Amendments and repeals

SCHEDULES

F129SCHEDULE 1NORTHERN IRELAND LEGAL SERVICES COMMISSION

Article 3(4)

Annotations:

Incorporation and status

1

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Tenure of members

3

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Members' interests

7

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Remuneration9

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Staff10

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

11

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Funding of costs relating to administration etc.12

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Proceedings13

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Provision of information

14

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Annual report

15

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Annual plan

16

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Accounts and audit

17

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Instruments

18

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I19SCHEDULE 2CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES: EXCLUDED SERVICES

Article 12(5)

Annotations:
Commencement Information
I19

Sch. 2 in operation at 1.4.2015 by S.R. 2015/194, art. 2, Sch. (with art. 3)

I221

F126The Department may not fund services consisting of the provision of advice (beyond the provision of general information about the law and the legal system and the availability of legal services) or assistance in relation to—

a

conveyancing,

b

boundary disputes,

c

the making of wills,

d

matters of trust law,

e

defamation or malicious falsehood,

f

matters of company or partnership law, or

g

other matters arising out of the carrying on of a business.

I232

F127The Department may not fund services consisting of representation in any proceedings, except, subject to paragraph 4, such proceedings as are specified in sub-paragraphs (a) to (j)—

a

proceedings in—

i

theF29Supreme Court in the exercise of its jurisdiction in relation to any appeal from Northern Ireland,

ii

F30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

iii

the Court of Appeal,

iv

the High Court, or

v

any county court,

b

proceedings before any person to whom a case is referred (in whole or in part) in any proceedings within sub-paragraph (a),

F59ba

proceedings in the Crown Court for the variation or discharge of an order under Article 7 or 7A of the Protection from Harassment (Northern Ireland) Order 1997;

bb

proceedings in the Crown Court for the variation or discharge of a witness anonymity order under section 91 or 92 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009;

c

proceedings in the Crown Court under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002F31 to the extent specified in paragraph 3,

d

proceedings in a court of summary jurisdiction—

i

for or relating to an order under the Summary Jurisdiction (Separation and Maintenance) Act (Northern Ireland) 1945F32 or the Domestic Proceedings (Northern Ireland) Order 1980F33 or the Family Homes and Domestic Violence (Northern Ireland) Order 1998F34F35 or Schedule 16 to the Civil Partnership Act 2004,

ii

under section 22 of the Maintenance Orders Act 1950F36 or section 13 of the Maintenance and Affiliation Orders Act (Northern Ireland) 1966F37,

iii

under Part I of the Maintenance Orders (Reciprocal Enforcement) Act 1972F38 relating to a maintenance order made by a court of a country outside the United Kingdom,

iv

such as are referred to in paragraph (i) and are brought by virtue of Part II of the Maintenance Orders (Reciprocal Enforcement) Act 1972,

v

which are debt or ejectment proceedings within the meaning of Part VI of the Magistrates' Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981F39, other than proceedings under Article 62(2) of that Order,

vi

under section 97, 143 or 144(1) of the Children and Young Persons Act (Northern Ireland) 1968F40 or the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995F41,

vii

under Article 101 of the Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1972F42 or section 101 of the Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 1992F43,

viii

which are appeals under Article 22 of the Child Support (Northern Ireland) Order 1991F44, so far as such appeals are to be made to a court of summary jurisdiction by virtue of Article 2 of the Child Support Appeals (Jurisdiction of Courts) Order (Northern Ireland) 1993F45,

ix

under Article 28 of the Child Support (Northern Ireland) Order 1991,

Sub para. (x) rep. by 2003 c. 42

xi

for an order or direction under paragraph 3, 5, 6, 9 or 10 of Schedule 1 to the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001F46,F47. . .

xii

for an order or direction under section F132195M,F60215A, 295, 297, F134297E, 297F, 298, 301 or 302 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, F135...

F48xiii

under section 89, 90, 97, 100, 104, 108, 109, 114, 118, 123, 125 or 126 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003,

F133xiv

for the discharge or variation of an order under section 195M of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, or

xv

which relate to a direction under section 215D of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002,

F61xvi

for the variation or discharge of an order under Article 7 or 7A of the Protection from Harassment (Northern Ireland) Order 1997,

xvii

for an order or the variation, renewal or discharge of an order under paragraph 5 or 10 of Schedule 5 to the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008,

xviii

for the discharge of an investigation anonymity order under section 80 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009,

xix

for the variation or discharge of a witness anonymity order under section 91 or 92 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009;

F157xx

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F95xxi

under paragraph 8 of Schedule 1 to the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015;

F138xxii

under Article 44 or 45 of the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989;

xxiii

under paragraph 29 or 36 of Schedule 8 to the Terrorism Act 2000;

xxiv

under Article 31B of the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings (Northern Ireland) Order 1989;

F141xxv

under paragraph 2, 6 or 7 of Schedule 3 to the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Criminal Justice and Support for Victims) Act (Northern Ireland) 2015;

xxvi

under section 57, 60 or 61 of the Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2015;

e

proceedings in any devolution issue (within the meaning of Schedule 10 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998, Schedule 8 to the Government of Wales Act 1998F49 or Schedule 6 to the Scotland Act 1998F50) before any court in Northern Ireland,

f

proceedings brought by an individual before the Proscribed Organisations Appeal Commission,

g

proceedings before the Mental Health Review Tribunal,

h

proceedings in the Lands Tribunal for Northern Ireland,

F51hh

proceedings under Article 3 or 4 of the Anti-social Behaviour (Northern Ireland) Order 2004;

F52i

proceedings before F63... the Special Immigration Appeals Commission,

F62ia

proceedings before the First-tier Tribunal under—

F154i

Schedule 10 to the Immigration Act 2016;

ii

section 40A of the British Nationality Act 1981;

iii

Part 5 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002; or

iv

regulation 26 of the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2006,

ib

proceedings before the Upper Tribunal arising out of proceedings within sub-paragraph (ia),

j

proceedings in the Enforcement of Judgments Office in connection with any proceedings mentioned in sub-paragraphs (a) to (i).

F139ja

proceedings before the Parole Commissioners for Northern Ireland;

jb

proceedings before the Care Tribunal under Article 11, 12, 42 or 43 of the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 or regulation 10 of the Education (Prohibition from Teaching or Working with Children) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007;

jc

proceedings under Part 13A of the Prison and Young Offenders Centre Rules (Northern Ireland) 1995.

k

F53. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I243

1

These are the proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 referred to in paragraph 2(c)—

a

proceedings which relate to a direction under section 202(3) F54. . . as to the distribution of funds in the hands of a receiver;

b

applications under section 210 relating to action taken or proposed to be taken by a receiver;

c

applications under section 211 to vary or discharge an order under any of sections 196 F55to 199 for the appointment of or conferring powers on a receiver;

F136ca

proceedings which relate to a direction under section 215D;

d

applications under section 220 or 221 for the payment of compensation;

e

applications under sections 351(3), 362(3), 369(3) or 375(2) to vary or discharge certain orders made under Part 8.

2

But sub-paragraph (1) does not authorise the funding of the provision of services to a defendant (within the meaning of Part 4 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002) in relation to—

a

proceedings mentioned in F56head (a) of that sub-paragraph, or

b

an application under section 221 of that Act for the payment of compensation if the confiscation order was varied under section 179.

I254

Subject to paragraph 5, the following services may not be funded by the F128Department as civil legal services, even where they fall within the descriptions specified in paragraphs 2(a) to F140(jc)

a

representation in proceedings in respect of which representation may be granted as a criminal defence service;

b

representation wholly or partly in respect of defamation;

c

representation in relator actions;

d

representation in relation to election petitions under the Representation of the People Act 1983F57 or the Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962F58;

e

representation in proceedings (other than proceedings referred to in paragraph 2(j)) for the recovery of a debt (including liquidated damages) which is admitted where the only question to be brought before the court is as to the time and mode of payment of that debt;

f

representation in proceedings incidental to any proceedings mentioned in sub-paragraphs (a) to (e).

I265

Notwithstanding paragraph 4, the making of a counterclaim for defamation in proceedings for which representation may be granted shall not of itself affect any right of a defendant to the counterclaim to representation in the proceedings and representation may be granted to enable him to defend such counterclaim.

F1376

The Department may not fund services consisting of the provision of advice, assistance or representation to any guardian ad litem for the purposes of any proceedings under the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995.

SCHEDULE 3TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS AND SAVINGS

Article 48(2)

Interpretation

F1471

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Annotations:
Amendments (Textual)
F147

Sch. 3 repealed (1.4.2015 in so far as not already in operation) by Legal Aid and Coroners‘ Courts Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 (c. 11), s. 12(2)(d)(vi), Sch. 2 para. 6(42), Sch. 3 Pt. 1 (with ss. 2(3), 9, Sch. 1 para. 3(3)); S.R. 2015/193, art. 2(e)

Rights, obligations and property

F1532

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The Legal Aid Fund

F1483

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Part II of the 1981 Order

F1524

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Part III of the 1981 Order

F1455

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Commission's annual plan and annual report

F1426

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Grants and approvals under the 1981 Order

F967

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Chief Executive of the Commission

F1438

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The Commission: transfers of employment

F1509

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F14610

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F14411

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Pensions

F14912

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Assistance with functions

F15113

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Schedule 4—Amendments

Schedule 5—Repeals