OpenLegislation

Tattooing of Minors (Northern Ireland) Order 1979

1979/926 · Made 26 July 1979 · Extends to Northern Ireland

Up to date with all changes known to legislation.gov.uk, revised to 1 January 2006.

[26th July 1979]

Contents

  1. 1Title and commencement
  2. 2Interpretation
  3. 3Prohibition of tattooing of minors
  4. 4Defences

1Title and commencement

This Order may be cited as the Tattooing of Minors (Northern Ireland) Order 1979 … Commencement …

2Interpretation

(1)

The Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 1954 c.33 shall apply to Article 1 and the following provisions of this Order as it applies to a Measure of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

(2)

In this Order—

“medical practitioner” means a fully registered person within the meaning of section 54(1) of the Medical Act 1956 1956 c.76;

“minor” means a person under the age of 18;

“tattoo” means the insertion into the skin of any colouring material designed to leave a permanent mark.

3Prohibition of tattooing of minors

(1)

Subject to Article 4, any person who tattoos a minor shall be guilty of an offence.

(2)

A person guilty of an offence under paragraph (1) shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceedingF1 five hundred pounds.

4Defences

A person shall not be guilty of an offence under Article 3—

(a)

if he reasonably believes that the minor is not under the age of 18; or

(b)

if, being a medical practitioner or working under the direction of a medical practitioner, he performs the tattoo for medical reasons.