Legislation – Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2015
Changes to legislation:
Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2015, Section 52 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 06 April 2026. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.
Changes to Legislation
Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the legislation in the affected provisions. Use the ‘more’ link to open the changes and effects relevant to the provision you are viewing.
Changes and effects yet to be applied to Section 52:
- s. 13(2)(2A) substituted for s. 13(2) by 2022 c. 4 (N.I.) s. 4(5)
- s. 13(4)(5) added by 2022 c. 4 (N.I.) s. 4(6)
- s. 13A inserted by 2022 c. 4 (N.I.) s. 4(7)
- s. 13A inserted by 2022 c. 4 (N.I.) s. 4(7)
- Sch. 2 para. 8(1) Sch. 2 para. 8 renumbered as Sch. 2 para. 8(1) by 2022 c. 4 (N.I.) s. 4(9)(f)(i)
- Sch. 2 para. 8(2) inserted by 2022 c. 4 (N.I.) s. 4(9)(f)(iii)
- Sch. 2 para. 8(1) words substituted by 2022 c. 4 (N.I.) s. 4(9)(f)(ii)
Changes and effects yet to be applied to the whole Act associated Parts and Chapters:
Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Act (including any effects on those provisions):
- s. 13(2)(2A) substituted for s. 13(2) by 2022 c. 4 (N.I.) s. 4(5)
- s. 13(4)(5) added by 2022 c. 4 (N.I.) s. 4(6)
- s. 13A inserted by 2022 c. 4 (N.I.) s. 4(7)
- s. 13A inserted by 2022 c. 4 (N.I.) s. 4(7)
- Sch. 2 para. 8(1) Sch. 2 para. 8 renumbered as Sch. 2 para. 8(1) by 2022 c. 4 (N.I.) s. 4(9)(f)(i)
- Sch. 2 para. 8(2) inserted by 2022 c. 4 (N.I.) s. 4(9)(f)(iii)
- Sch. 2 para. 8(1) words substituted by 2022 c. 4 (N.I.) s. 4(9)(f)(ii)
PART 7LIVE LINKS IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS
Live links: expert witnesses52
(1)
Part 3 of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2004 (live links for witnesses in certain criminal proceedings) is amended as follows.
(2)
In Article 10 (witness other than defendant may give evidence through live link if court so directs) after “other than the defendant” insert “
.
or an expert witness to whom Article 11A applies
”
(3)
“Expert witnesses11A
(1)
An expert witness to whom this Article applies shall, unless the court otherwise directs, give evidence through a live link in the criminal proceedings mentioned in Article 10(2).
(2)
The court shall not give a direction under paragraph (1) unless the court is satisfied that it is in the interests of justice, and of the efficient administration of justice, for the person concerned to give evidence in the proceedings in person.
(3)
The court may rescind a direction under paragraph (1) if it appears to the court that the condition in paragraph (2) is no longer satisfied.
(4)
Where it does so, the person concerned shall give evidence through a live link, but this does not prevent the court from giving a further direction under paragraph (1) in relation to that person.
(5)
The court shall not give or rescind a direction under paragraph (1) unless the parties to the proceedings have been given the opportunity to make representations.
(6)
This Article applies to expert witnesses of such class or description as the Department may prescribe in regulations.
(7)
Regulations shall not be made under paragraph (6) unless a draft of the regulations has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, the Assembly.”.
(4)
“(a)
evidence is to be given through a live link under this Part in proceedings before a magistrates’ court; and”.
(5)
“(1)
This Article applies where evidence has been given through a live link under this Part in proceedings before the Crown Court.”.
(6)
“(aa)
as to the procedure to be followed in connection with the making of representations under Article 11A; and”.