Explanatory Memorandum

Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011

2011 CHAPTER 16

29 March 2011

Commentary on Sections

Part 5 - General

Section 54: Application to the Crown

Under this section the Act and regulations and orders made under it apply to all Government departments and other crown bodies. The Crown is not subject to criminal liability if it contravenes the requirements of the Act. Instead, the court has power to make a declaration that the conduct is unlawful. However this does not prevent criminal convictions being made against individuals, such as civil servants who are in the service of the Crown as public servants. They can be prosecuted under the Act in the same way as private individuals, private organisations and their staff.