{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/northern-ireland-act-1998/schedule-10/paragraph-39",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/northern-ireland-act-1998/schedule-10/paragraph-39.json",
  "legislation": "ukpga/1998/47",
  "legislation_title": "Northern Ireland Act 1998",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/northern-ireland-act-1998",
  "path": "schedule/10/paragraph/39",
  "kind": "paragraph",
  "number": "39",
  "heading": null,
  "text": "(1) Sub-paragraph (3) applies where a devolution issue arises in proceedings against a person (“the defendant”) for an offence and the issue is referred to the Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland under paragraph 7.\n(2) Sub-paragraph (3) applies where such an issue arises in such proceedings and—\n(a) the issue is referred by the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court under paragraph 9 or 33; or\n(b) the issue is determined by the Court of Appeal under paragraph 7 and—\n(i) an appeal to the Supreme Court against the determination is brought under paragraph 10; or\n(ii) an application for leave to bring such an appeal is made to the Court of Appeal under that paragraph.\n(3) The Court of Appeal may, if it thinks fit, on the application of the defendant, admit him to bail pending the determination of the reference, appeal or application.\n(4) The Court of Appeal may at any time when it appears to the Court of Appeal—\n(a) that it is desirable in the interests of justice that the defendant should have legal aid; and\n(b) that he has not sufficient means to obtain that aid,\nassign to him a solicitor and counsel, or counsel only, in the reference, appeal or application.\n(5) If, on a question of granting a person free legal aid under sub-paragraph (4), there is a doubt—\n(a) whether it is desirable in the interests of justice that he should have legal aid; or\n(b) whether he has sufficient means to obtain that aid,\nthe doubt shall be resolved in favour of granting him free legal aid.\n(6) The fees of any counsel, and the expenses and fees of any solicitor, assigned to a person under sub-paragraph (4) shall be defrayed, up to an amount allowed by the Master (Taxing Office), by the Lord Chancellor ....",
  "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F1",
      "text": "Words in Sch. 10 para. 39(2) substituted (1.4.2015) by Access to Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 (S.I. 2003/435 (N.I. 10)), art. 1(2), Sch. 4 para. 14 (with art. 45); S.R. 2015/194, art. 2, Sch. (with art. 3)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F2",
      "text": "Words in Sch. 10 para. 39(2)-(4) substituted (1.10.2009) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 40, 148, Sch. 9 para. 118(6)(a); S.I. 2009/1604, art. 2(a)(d)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F3",
      "text": "Words in Sch. 10 para. 39(2)-(4) substituted (1.10.2009) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 40, 148, Sch. 9 para. 118(6)(b); S.I. 2009/1604, art. 2(a)(d)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F4",
      "text": "Words in Sch. 10 para. 39(6) omitted (12.4.2010) by virtue of The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/976), art. 1(2), Sch. 18 para. 58(2) (with arts. 28-31)"
    },
    {
      "type": "C",
      "label": "C1",
      "text": "Sch. 10 para. 39(6): transfer of functions (12.4.2010) by The Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/976), art. 1(2), Sch. 17 para. 16 (with arts. 28-31)"
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/47/schedule/10/paragraph/39",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T09:22:12.253813+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}