Explanatory note

This Act of Adjournal inserts a new Chapter 61 (European Protection Orders) into the Criminal Procedure Rules 1996 to make provision in consequence of Directive 2011/99/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18th December 2011 on the European Protection Order.

When an order granted in criminal proceedings in the High Court, the sheriff court or Justice of the Peace Court is a protection measure for the purposes of the Directive, the rules make provision for the protected person to be informed of the possibility of applying for a European Protection Order. The rules make provision for the form of such applications and for the intimation of any European Protection Order so issued to relevant parties.

The rules also make provision in respect of the recognition and implementation of a European Protection Order made in another member State.