[DRAFT] STATUTORY RULES OF NORTHERN IRELAND
2007 No.
MAGISTRATES’ COURTS

Made - - - - ***

Coming into operation - xxxxxxxxxxxx 2007

The Magistrates’ Courts Rules Committee makes the following Rules in exercise of the powers conferred by Article 13 of the Magistrates’ Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1981() and Article 165 of the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995() after consultation with the Lord Chancellor and with the agreement of the Lord Chief Justice.

Citation and commencement

  1. These Rules may be cited as the Magistrates’ Courts (Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995) (Amendment) Rules (Northern Ireland) 2007 and shall come into operation on xxxxxxxxxx 2007.

Amendment to the Magistrates’ Courts (Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995) Rules (Northern Ireland) 1996()

  1.  After rule 18 insert—

“Evidence by video link or other method

18A. The court may allow a witness to give evidence through a video link or by any other method of direct communication.”

Signed

Minister of State

Ministry of Justice

Dated

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Rules.)

These Rules amend the Magistrates’ Courts (Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995) Rules (Northern Ireland) 1996 (S.R. 1996 No. 323) to enable the court to allow a witness to give evidence through a video link or by any other method of direct communication.