Explanatory note

This Order makes provision for the office of Presiding resident magistrate, resident magistrate and deputy resident magistrate to be renamed as Presiding district judge (magistrates’ courts) in Northern Ireland, district judge (magistrates’ courts) in Northern Ireland and deputy district judge (magistrates’ courts) in Northern Ireland respectively.

In addition, the Order;

• makes provision for references to Presiding resident magistrate, resident magistrate and deputy resident magistrate in any statutory provision or document to be construed as references to a Presiding district judge (magistrates’ courts) in Northern Ireland, district judge (magistrates’ courts) in Northern Ireland and deputy district judge (magistrates’ courts) in Northern Ireland; and

• provides for the Resident Magistrates’ Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 1960 to be cited as the District Judges (Magistrates’ Courts) Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 1960.