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Explanatory note

Original text. Later amendments are not shown.

(This note is not part of the Rules)

These Rules amend the Magistrates’ Courts Rules (Northern Ireland) 1984 (S.R. 1984 No. 225) to—

  • give effect to Directive 2010/64/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20th October 2010 on the right to interpretation and translation in criminal proceedings. They make provision for interpretation and translation services for defendants, including defendants with hearing or speech impediments; and

  • provide that rule 149K(2), which provides that an application for a third party witness summons in criminal proceedings is to be made in writing, is subject to paragraphs (8) to (10) of rule 149K, which allow such applications to be made orally in certain circumstances.