Explanatory note

This Order brings into operation on 13th July 2003, Article 38 of and Schedule 8 to, the Employment Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1999.

Article 38 and Schedule 8 substitute a new Article 238 of the Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (national security) and a new Article 12 of the Industrial Tribunals (Northern Ireland) Order 1996, which contains powers to make provision in the industrial tribunal procedure regulations to deal with cases concerning national security. Schedule 8 also introduces a new Article 12A (power to make provision in the industrial tribunal procedure regulations in respect of confidential information), a new Article 12B (restriction of publicity in cases involving national security) and repeals Article 6(7) (composition of a tribunal) of the Industrial Tribunals (Northern Ireland) Order 1996.

This Order also brings into operation the repeals specified in Part 12 of Schedule 9 to the Employment Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 and which are set out in the Schedule to this Order.