# The Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act 2022 (Commencement) Regulations 2025

S.I. 2025/214 · made 25 February 2025

These Regulations bring into force provisions of the Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act 2022 (c. 45) (“the 2022 Act”).

Made under: Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act 2022 (Section 10)

PDFs: Printed copy https://openlegislation.uk/identity-and-language-northern-ireland-act-2022-commencement-regulations-2025/pdf/uksi_20250214_en.pdf

## Introductory text

NORTHERN IRELAND
Made 25th February 2025
The Secretary of State makes the following Regulations in exercise of the power conferred by section 10(2) of the Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act 2022.

## 1 Citation and extent

(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act 2022 (Commencement) Regulations 2025.
(2) These Regulations extend to Northern Ireland.

## 2 Provisions coming into force on the day after the day these Regulations are made

(1) The following provisions of the Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act 2022 come into force on the day after the day these Regulations are made—
(a) section 4 (use of languages other than English in proceedings); and
(b) section 5 (use of Ulster Scots in education).

## Signature

Hilary Benn
Secretary of State
Northern Ireland Office
25th February 2025

## Explanatory note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations bring into force provisions of the Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act 2022 (c. 45) (“the 2022 Act”).
Regulation 2 commences section 4 of the 2022 Act, which repeals the Administration of Justice (Language) Act (Ireland) 1737 (c. 6). The Administration of Justice (Language) Act (Ireland) 1737 required Court proceedings to be in English. Regulation 2 also commences section 5 of the 2022 Act, which places a duty on the Northern Ireland Department of Education to encourage and facilitate the use and understanding of Ulster Scots in the education system.
A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sectors is foreseen.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2025/214 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/identity-and-language-northern-ireland-act-2022-commencement-regulations-2025
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.