OpenLegislation

Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978

1978 c. 23 · Enacted 30 June 1978 · Extends to United Kingdom

Not fully up to date. 33 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 17 September 2026.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
Sch. 5 Pt. 2entry repealedCharities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 Sch. 9
s. 35excluded by SI 2003/435 (N.I. 10), art. 27A(6) (as inserted)Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 s. 84(2)
s. 106(3A)insertedJustice Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 s. 89(1)
s. 44(5)(c)words insertedJustice Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 Sch. 7 para. 6(5)
Sch. 1 para. 4(3A)(c)words substitutedMental Capacity Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 Sch. 10 para. 2(3)(c)
Sch. 1 para. 4(3)words substitutedMental Capacity Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 Sch. 10 para. 2(a)
Sch. 1 para. 4(3A)words substitutedMental Capacity Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 Sch. 10 para. 3(a)
Sch. 1 para. 4(3A)(b)words substitutedMental Capacity Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 Sch. 10 para. 2(3)(b)(ii)
s. 116(1)words insertedMental Capacity Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 Sch. 10 para. 1
Sch. 1 para. 4(3)words substitutedMental Capacity Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 Sch. 10 para. 2(b)
Sch. 1 para. 4(3)words substitutedMental Capacity Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 Sch. 10 para. 2(c)
Sch. 1 para. 4(3)word substitutedMental Capacity Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 Sch. 10 para. 2(d)
Sch. 1 para. 4(3A)(b)words substitutedMental Capacity Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 Sch. 10 para. 2(3)(b)(i)
Sch. 5words repealedThe Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 Sch. 6 Pt. 1
Sch. 5 Pt. 2words repealedYouth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 Sch. 6
s. 54(1)(b)-(f)substitutedJustice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 s. 73(1)
s. 74(3)words substitutedJustice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 Sch. 3 para. 18(3)
s. 119(5)words repealedJustice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 Sch. 13
s. 51A(6)words repealedJustice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 Sch. 13
s. 7(3)words substitutedJustice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 Sch. 3 para. 1(a)
s. 7(3)words substitutedJustice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 Sch. 3 para. 1(b)
s. 70(1)substitutedJustice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 Sch. 3 para. 17(2)
s. 70(3)words substitutedJustice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 Sch. 3 para. 17(3)(a)
s. 70(3)words substitutedJustice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 Sch. 3 para. 17(3)(b)
s. 70(3)words substitutedJustice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 Sch. 3 para. 17(3)(c)
s. 70(5)words substitutedJustice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 Sch. 3 para. 17(4)
s. 70(6)words substitutedJustice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 Sch. 3 para. 17(5)
s. 74(1)words substitutedJustice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 Sch. 3 para. 18(2)(a)
s. 74(1)words substitutedJustice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 Sch. 3 para. 18(2)(b)
s. 74(1)words substitutedJustice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 Sch. 3 para. 18(2)(c)
s. 74(1)word substitutedJustice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 Sch. 3 para. 18(2)(d)
s. 67appliedHealth and Social Care Act 2008 s. 106(3)
Pt. 9Aexpiry of earlier affecting provision 2020 c. 7, Sch. 27 para. 8Coronavirus Act 2020 s. 89

An Act to make provision with respect to the constitution, jurisdiction and proceedings of the Supreme Court of Judicature of Northern Ireland; to establish as part of that Court a Crown Court to try indictments and exercise other jurisdiction in Northern Ireland in relation to criminal cases and to abolish courts of assize there and deal with their jurisdiction; to make, as respects Northern Ireland, provision for the administration of courts; to provide for certain rules of law in judicial matters in Northern Ireland and to amend the law regarding county courts, magistrates’ courts and justices of the peace in Northern Ireland and otherwise with respect to the administration of justice there.

[30th June 1978]C1I1

Annotations to the whole text

Modifications

C1

Act: Power to amend conferred (1.12.2000) by S.I. 1999/3147 (N.I. 11), art. 40(1)(2)(g); S.R. 2000/133, art. 2(3)(d), Sch. Pt. IV

Commencement

I1

Act not in force at Royal Assent see s. 123(2)(3)(4); Act wholly in force at 1.9.1979.

Contents

  1. Part I: Constitution of the Court of Judicature of Northern Ireland
  2. 1The Court of Judicature.
  3. 2The High Court.
  4. 3The Court of Appeal.
  5. 4The Crown Court.
  6. 5Divisions of the High Court.
  7. 6Judges of one court empowered to assist another.
  8. 7Further assistance for transaction of judicial business.
  9. 8Additional provisions as to persons rendering judicial assistance.
  10. 9Qualification to be judge of High Court or Court of Appeal
  11. 10Judicial precedence.
  12. 11Exercise of functions of Lord Chief Justice.
  13. 12Appointment of the Lord Chief Justice and Lords Justices of Appeal
  14. 12AAppointment of judges of the High Court
  15. 12BTenure of office: Lord Chief Justice
  16. 12CTenure of office: Lords Justices of Appeal and certain High Court judges
  17. 13Tenure of office, oath, etc.
  18. 14Vacation of office.
  19. 15Power of judges to act in cases relating to rates and taxes.
  20. Part II: The High Court
  21. General jurisdiction
  22. 16General jurisdiction of the High Court and its judges.
  23. 17Assignment of business to judges.
  24. Supervisory and declaratory jurisdiction
  25. 18Application for judicial review.
  26. 19Stay and interim relief.
  27. 20Damages.
  28. 21Power to remit matter or reverse or vary decision.
  29. 22Extension of supervisory powers of High Court.
  30. 23Declaratory judgments.
  31. 24Injunction concerning public office.
  32. 25Power of High Court to vary sentence on certiorari.
  33. 25ATransfer of judicial review applications to Upper Tribunal
  34. Jurisdiction in relation to persons under disability
  35. 26Wards of court.
  36. 27. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  37. 28. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  38. 29Co-ordination of exercise of jurisdiction in relation to persons under disability.
  39. Admiralty jurisdiction
  40. 30High Court to have exclusive original jurisdiction in admiralty.
  41. Miscellaneous powers of High Court
  42. 31Remittal and removal of proceedings.
  43. 32Restriction on institution of vexatious actions.
  44. 33Execution of instruments by order of court.
  45. 33APower of High Court to award interest on debts and damages.
  46. Part III: The Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court
  47. 34General jurisdiction of Court of Appeal.
  48. 35Appeals to Court of Appeal from High Court.
  49. 36Composition of Court of Appeal.
  50. 37Powers of a single judge in Court of Appeal.
  51. 38Powers of court for purposes of appeals.
  52. 39, 40. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  53. 41Appeals to Supreme Court in other criminal matters.
  54. 42Appeals to Supreme Court in civil cases.
  55. 43Appeals to Supreme Court from High Court.
  56. 44Appeal in cases of contempt of court.
  57. 45Appeal in habeas corpus proceedings.
  58. Part IV: The Crown Court
  59. 46Exclusive jurisdiction in trial on indictment.
  60. 47Exercise of jurisdiction by Crown Court.
  61. 48Committal for trial on indictment.
  62. 49Sentences imposed and other decisions made by Crown Court.
  63. 50Right of audience.
  64. 51Process to compel appearance before Crown Court.
  65. 51AIssue of witness summons on application to Crown Court.
  66. 51BPower to require advance production.
  67. 51CSummons no longer needed.
  68. 51DApplication to make summons ineffective.
  69. 51EIssue of witness summons of Crown Court’s own motion.
  70. 51FApplication to make summons ineffective.
  71. 51GPunishment for disobedience to witness summons.
  72. 51HFurther process to secure attendance of witnesses.
  73. 52Crown Court rules.
  74. 53Crown Court Rules Committee.
  75. 53AMaking of Crown Court rules
  76. Part V: Practice, Procedure and Trials
  77. 54The Court of Judicature Rules Committee.
  78. 55Rules of Court.
  79. 55AMaking of rules of Court
  80. 56Control and publication of rules.
  81. 57High Court and Court of Appeal to be continuing courts.
  82. 58Sittings of High Court and Court of Appeal.
  83. 59Award of costs.
  84. 60Taxation of costs.
  85. 61Trial with assessors.
  86. 62Trial with and without jury.
  87. 63. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  88. 64Jury in civil actions.
  89. 65Rules of court in relation to juries in civil actions.
  90. 66Certain affidavits taken abroad admissible without proof of seal etc.
  91. 67Subpoenas in other parts of the United Kingdom.
  92. Part VI: Departments and Officers
  93. 68Departments.
  94. 68ADepartment of Justice’s duty
  95. 69General Functions of the Department of Justice in relation to Courts and Judgments
  96. 70Appointment and qualification of statutory officers.
  97. 71Tenure of office of statutory officers.
  98. 72Superannuation of statutory officers.
  99. 73Restrictions on practice.
  100. 74Deputies and temporary appointments.
  101. 75Official Solicitor.
  102. 76Property held by officers.
  103. Part VII: Funds in Court
  104. 77Accountant General.
  105. 78Accounts of funds in court.
  106. 79Accountant General to keep bank account.
  107. 80Payments and transfers.
  108. 81Investment of funds in court.
  109. 82Rules as to funds in court.
  110. 83. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  111. 84Statutory deposits.
  112. 85Provision for default to be made good.
  113. Part VIII: Rules of Law in Judicial Matters Generally
  114. 86Concurrent administration of law and equity to continue.
  115. 87Assignment of debts and choses in action.
  116. 88Certain stipulations not to be of the essence of contracts.
  117. 89Merger.
  118. 90Equitable waste.
  119. 91Orders for sale, mandatory or other injunctions and receivers.
  120. 92Damages in lieu of or in addition to injunction or specific performance.
  121. 93Suits for possession of land by mortgagors.
  122. 94Relief from ejectment.
  123. 94AWithdrawal of privilege against incrimination of self or spouse in certain proceedings.
  124. Part IX: Inferior Courts
  125. County courts
  126. 95, 96. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  127. 97Civil jurisdiction exercisable by circuit registrars.
  128. 98Appointment and assignment of county court judges.
  129. 99Qualifications of county court judges and deputy judges.
  131. 100Appointment and assignment of resident magistrates.
  132. 101. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  133. Supplementary
  134. 102Supplementary.
  135. Part 9A: Use of live links in court or tribunal proceedings: public participation & offences of recording etc
  136. 102AEnabling the public to see and hear proceedings Repealed
  137. 102BOffences of recording or transmission in relation to broadcasting Repealed
  138. 102COffences of recording or transmitting participation through live link Repealed
  139. 102DInterpretation of Part 9A Repealed
  140. Part X: Miscellaneous Matters
  141. 103Appointment of justices of the peace. Repealed
  142. 103APower of court of record to bind over
  143. 104Under-sheriffs. Repealed
  144. 105Solicitors to be officers of court.
  145. 106Rights of audience in the High Court and Court of Appeal.
  146. 107Qualification for holding office of solicitors who have been barristers and vice versa.
  147. 108Election courts.
  148. 109Enrolment etc. of instruments.
  149. 110Court bonds.
  150. 111Lost negotiable instruments.
  151. 112Oaths and affidavits.
  152. 113Appointment of conveyancing counsel.
  153. 114Other law in Northern Ireland courts.
  154. 115Official seals.
  155. 116Fees.
  156. 117Transfer of certain functions relating to courts to Lord Chancellor.
  157. 117AAllowances for judges.
  158. Part XI: Interpretation and General
  159. 118Application to the Crown.
  160. 119Making and control of subordinate legislation.
  161. 120Interpretation.
  162. 121Financial provisions.
  163. 122Minor and consequential amendments, transitional provisions and repeals.
  164. 123Short title and commencement.
  165. Schedule 1: Appeals to Supreme Court in Certain Criminal Matters
  166. 1Paragraph 1
  167. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  168. 3Paragraph 3
  169. 4Paragraph 4
  170. 5Paragraph 5
  171. 6Paragraph 6
  172. Schedule 2Departments of the Court of Judicature
  173. Schedule 3STATUTORY OFFICES
  174. Schedule 4: Superannuation of Statutory Officers
  175. 1Paragraph 1
  176. 2Paragraph 2
  177. 3Paragraph 3
  178. 4Paragraph 4
  179. Schedule 5: Minor and Consequential Amendments
  180. Part I: General Amendments
  181. 1Paragraph 1
  182. 2Paragraph 2
  183. 3Paragraph 3
  184. 4Paragraph 4
  185. Part II: Specific Amendments
  186. (1) Acts of the Parliament of the United KingdomChapter (1) Acts of the Parliament of the United Kingdom
  187. The Writ of Subpoena Act 1805
  188. The Tumultuous Risings (Ireland) Act 1831
  189. The Constabulary (Ireland) Act 1836
  190. The Parliamentary Documents Deposit Act 1837
  192. The Lands Clauses Consolidation Act 1845
  193. The Indictable Offences Act 1848
  194. The Railways Act (Ireland) 1851
  195. The Fines Act (Ireland) 1851
  196. The Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act 1851
  197. The Irish Bankrupt and Insolvent Act 1857
  198. The Landed Estates Court (Ireland) Act 1858
  199. The Railways Act (Ireland) 1860
  200. The Defence Act 1860
  201. The Tramways (Ireland) Act 1860
  202. The Matrimonial Causes and Marriage Law (Ireland) Amendment Act 1870
  204. The Bankruptcy (Ireland) Amendment Act 1872
  206. The Fines Act (Ireland) 1851, Amendment Act 1874
  208. The Appellate Jurisdiction Act 1876
  209. The Settled Estates Act 1877
  210. The Bills of Sale (Ireland) Act 1879
  211. The Settled Land Act 1882
  212. The Land Law (Ireland) Act 1887
  213. The Deeds of Arrangement Act 1887
  214. The Deeds of Arrangement Amendment Act 1890
  215. The Witnesses (Public Inquiries) Protection Act 1892
  216. The Life Insurance Companies (Payment into Court) Act 1896
  218. The Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1932
  219. The Foreign Judgments (Reciprocal Enforcement) Act 1933
  220. . . .
  221. The Pensions Appeal Tribunals Act 1943
  222. . . .
  223. The Maintenance Orders Act 1950
  224. The Administration of Justice Act 1956
  225. The Geneva Conventions Act 1957
  226. The Administration of Justice Act 1960
  227. The Professions Supplementary to Medicine Act 1960
  228. The Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966
  229. The Arbitration (International Investment Disputes) Act 1966
  230. The Family Law Reform Act 1969
  231. The Administration of Justice Act 1969
  232. The Taxes Management Act 1970
  233. The Administration of Justice Act 1970
  234. The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
  235. The Tribunals and Inquiries Act 1971
  236. The Administration of Justice Act 1973
  237. The Social Security (Northern Ireland) Act 1975
  238. The House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975
  239. The Northern Ireland Assembly Disqualification Act 1975
  240. The Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1978
  241. Chapter (2) Acts of the Irish Parliament and Parliament of
  242. The Habeas Corpus Act (Ireland) 1781
  243. The Bankruptcy Amendment Act (Northern Ireland) 1929
  244. The Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act (Northern Ireland) 1929
  245. The Planning and Housing Act (Northern Ireland) 1931
  246. The Evidence Act (Northern Ireland) 1939
  247. The Matrimonial Causes Act (Northern Ireland) 1939
  248. The Landlord and Tenant (War Damage) Act (Northern Ireland) 1941
  249. The Criminal Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 1945
  251. The Prison Act (Northern Ireland) 1953
  253. The Administrration of Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 1954
  254. The Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954
  255. The Trustee Act (Northern Ireland) 1958
  256. The Coroners Act (Northern Ireland) 1959
  257. The County Courts Act (Northern Ireland) 1959
  258. The Resident Magistrates’ Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 1960
  259. The Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962
  260. The Magistrates’ Courts Act (Northern Ireland) 1964
  261. The Lands Tribunal and Compensation Act (Northern Ireland) 1964
  262. The Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 1964
  263. Paragraph
  264. Paragraph Repealed
  265. The Maintenance and Affiliation Orders Act (Northern Ireland) 1966
  266. Paragraph
  267. Paragraph Repealed
  268. The Costs in Criminal Cases Act (Northern Ireland) 1968
  269. Paragraph
  270. Paragraph
  271. The Treatment of Offenders Act (Northern Ireland) 1968
  272. The Children and Young Persons Act (Northern Ireland) 1968
  273. The Grand Jury (Abolition) Act (Northern Ireland) 1969
  274. The Judgments (Enforcement) Act (Northern Ireland) 1969
  275. The Nurses and Midwives Act (Northern Ireland) 1970
  276. The Registration of Deeds Act (Northern Ireland) 1970
  277. The Leasehold (Enlargement and Extension) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971
  278. The Payments for Debt (Emergency Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971
  279. Paragraph
  280. The Northern Ireland (Crown Proceedings) Order 1949
  281. The Prosecution of Offences (Northern Ireland) Order 1972
  282. The Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1972
  284. The Treatment of Offenders (Northern Ireland) Order 1976
  285. The Solicitors (Northern Ireland) Order 1976
  286. The Sexual Offences (Northern Ireland) Order 1978
  287. Schedule 6: Transitional Provisions
  288. Part I: General
  289. 1Paragraph 1
  290. 2Paragraph 2
  291. 3Paragraph 3
  292. 4Paragraph 4
  293. 5Paragraph 5
  294. 6Paragraph 6
  295. 7Paragraph 7
  296. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  297. 9Paragraph 9
  298. 9AParagraph 9A
  299. 10Paragraph 10
  300. Part II: The Crown Court
  301. 11Paragraph 11
  302. 12Paragraph 12
  303. 13Paragraph 13
  304. 14Paragraph 14 Repealed
  305. 15Paragraph 15
  306. 16Paragraph 16
  307. Part III: Statutory Officers
  308. 17Paragraph 17 Repealed
  309. 18Paragraph 18
  310. Schedule 7: REPEALS
  311. IACTS OF THE PARLIAMENT OF ENGLAND, GREAT BRITAIN AND THE UNTIED KINGDOM
  312. IIACTS OF THE IRISH PARLIAMENT AND PARLIAMENT OF NORTHEN IRELAND.
  313. IIIORDERS IN COUNCIL