OpenLegislation

Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978 in Wales

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 X: Miscellaneous Matters
  136. 103Appointment of justices of the peace. Repealed
  137. 103APower of court of record to bind over
  138. 104Under-sheriffs. Repealed
  139. 105Solicitors to be officers of court.
  140. 106Rights of audience in the High Court and Court of Appeal.
  141. 107Qualification for holding office of solicitors who have been barristers and vice versa.
  142. 108Election courts.
  143. 109Enrolment etc. of instruments.
  144. 110Court bonds.
  145. 111Lost negotiable instruments.
  146. 112Oaths and affidavits.
  147. 113Appointment of conveyancing counsel.
  148. 114Other law in Northern Ireland courts.
  149. 115Official seals.
  150. 116Fees.
  151. 117Transfer of certain functions relating to courts to Lord Chancellor.
  152. 117AAllowances for judges.
  153. Part XI: Interpretation and General
  154. 118Application to the Crown.
  155. 119Making and control of subordinate legislation.
  156. 120Interpretation.
  157. 121Financial provisions.
  158. 122Minor and consequential amendments, transitional provisions and repeals.
  159. 123Short title and commencement.
  160. Schedule 1: Appeals to Supreme Court in Certain Criminal Matters
  161. 1Paragraph 1
  162. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  163. 3Paragraph 3
  164. 4Paragraph 4
  165. 5Paragraph 5
  166. 6Paragraph 6
  167. Schedule 2Departments of the Court of Judicature
  168. Schedule 3STATUTORY OFFICES
  169. Schedule 4: Superannuation of Statutory Officers
  170. 1Paragraph 1
  171. 2Paragraph 2
  172. 3Paragraph 3
  173. 4Paragraph 4
  174. Schedule 5: Minor and Consequential Amendments
  175. Part I: General Amendments
  176. 1Paragraph 1
  177. 2Paragraph 2
  178. 3Paragraph 3
  179. 4Paragraph 4
  180. Part II: Specific Amendments
  181. (1) Acts of the Parliament of the United KingdomChapter (1) Acts of the Parliament of the United Kingdom
  182. The Writ of Subpoena Act 1805
  183. The Tumultuous Risings (Ireland) Act 1831
  184. The Constabulary (Ireland) Act 1836
  185. The Parliamentary Documents Deposit Act 1837
  187. The Lands Clauses Consolidation Act 1845
  188. The Indictable Offences Act 1848
  189. The Railways Act (Ireland) 1851
  190. The Fines Act (Ireland) 1851
  191. The Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act 1851
  192. The Irish Bankrupt and Insolvent Act 1857
  193. The Landed Estates Court (Ireland) Act 1858
  194. The Railways Act (Ireland) 1860
  195. The Defence Act 1860
  196. The Tramways (Ireland) Act 1860
  197. The Matrimonial Causes and Marriage Law (Ireland) Amendment Act 1870
  199. The Bankruptcy (Ireland) Amendment Act 1872
  201. The Fines Act (Ireland) 1851, Amendment Act 1874
  203. The Appellate Jurisdiction Act 1876
  204. The Settled Estates Act 1877
  205. The Bills of Sale (Ireland) Act 1879
  206. The Settled Land Act 1882
  207. The Land Law (Ireland) Act 1887
  208. The Deeds of Arrangement Act 1887
  209. The Deeds of Arrangement Amendment Act 1890
  210. The Witnesses (Public Inquiries) Protection Act 1892
  211. The Life Insurance Companies (Payment into Court) Act 1896
  213. The Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1932
  214. The Foreign Judgments (Reciprocal Enforcement) Act 1933
  215. . . .
  216. The Pensions Appeal Tribunals Act 1943
  217. . . .
  218. The Maintenance Orders Act 1950
  219. The Administration of Justice Act 1956
  220. The Geneva Conventions Act 1957
  221. The Administration of Justice Act 1960
  222. The Professions Supplementary to Medicine Act 1960
  223. The Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966
  224. The Arbitration (International Investment Disputes) Act 1966
  225. The Family Law Reform Act 1969
  226. The Administration of Justice Act 1969
  227. The Taxes Management Act 1970
  228. The Administration of Justice Act 1970
  229. The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
  230. The Tribunals and Inquiries Act 1971
  231. The Administration of Justice Act 1973
  232. The Social Security (Northern Ireland) Act 1975
  233. The House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975
  234. The Northern Ireland Assembly Disqualification Act 1975
  235. The Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1978
  236. Chapter (2) Acts of the Irish Parliament and Parliament of
  237. The Habeas Corpus Act (Ireland) 1781
  238. The Bankruptcy Amendment Act (Northern Ireland) 1929
  239. The Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act (Northern Ireland) 1929
  240. The Planning and Housing Act (Northern Ireland) 1931
  241. The Evidence Act (Northern Ireland) 1939
  242. The Matrimonial Causes Act (Northern Ireland) 1939
  243. The Landlord and Tenant (War Damage) Act (Northern Ireland) 1941
  244. The Criminal Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 1945
  246. The Prison Act (Northern Ireland) 1953
  248. The Administrration of Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 1954
  249. The Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954
  250. The Trustee Act (Northern Ireland) 1958
  251. The Coroners Act (Northern Ireland) 1959
  252. The County Courts Act (Northern Ireland) 1959
  253. The Resident Magistrates’ Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 1960
  254. The Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962
  255. The Magistrates’ Courts Act (Northern Ireland) 1964
  256. The Lands Tribunal and Compensation Act (Northern Ireland) 1964
  257. The Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 1964
  258. Paragraph
  259. Paragraph Repealed
  260. The Maintenance and Affiliation Orders Act (Northern Ireland) 1966
  261. Paragraph
  262. Paragraph Repealed
  263. The Costs in Criminal Cases Act (Northern Ireland) 1968
  264. Paragraph
  265. Paragraph
  266. The Treatment of Offenders Act (Northern Ireland) 1968
  267. The Children and Young Persons Act (Northern Ireland) 1968
  268. The Grand Jury (Abolition) Act (Northern Ireland) 1969
  269. The Judgments (Enforcement) Act (Northern Ireland) 1969
  270. The Nurses and Midwives Act (Northern Ireland) 1970
  271. The Registration of Deeds Act (Northern Ireland) 1970
  272. The Leasehold (Enlargement and Extension) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971
  273. The Payments for Debt (Emergency Provisions) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971
  274. Paragraph
  275. The Northern Ireland (Crown Proceedings) Order 1949
  276. The Prosecution of Offences (Northern Ireland) Order 1972
  277. The Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1972
  279. The Treatment of Offenders (Northern Ireland) Order 1976
  280. The Solicitors (Northern Ireland) Order 1976
  281. The Sexual Offences (Northern Ireland) Order 1978
  282. Schedule 6: Transitional Provisions
  283. Part I: General
  284. 1Paragraph 1
  285. 2Paragraph 2
  286. 3Paragraph 3
  287. 4Paragraph 4
  288. 5Paragraph 5
  289. 6Paragraph 6
  290. 7Paragraph 7
  291. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  292. 9Paragraph 9
  293. 9AParagraph 9A
  294. 10Paragraph 10
  295. Part II: The Crown Court
  296. 11Paragraph 11
  297. 12Paragraph 12
  298. 13Paragraph 13
  299. 14Paragraph 14 Repealed
  300. 15Paragraph 15
  301. 16Paragraph 16
  302. Part III: Statutory Officers
  303. 17Paragraph 17 Repealed
  304. 18Paragraph 18
  305. Schedule 7: REPEALS
  306. IACTS OF THE PARLIAMENT OF ENGLAND, GREAT BRITAIN AND THE UNTIED KINGDOM
  307. IIACTS OF THE IRISH PARLIAMENT AND PARLIAMENT OF NORTHEN IRELAND.
  308. IIIORDERS IN COUNCIL