Title and commencement

1.—(1) This Order may be cited as the Industrial Tribunals (Northern Ireland) Order 1996.

(2) This Order shall come into operation on the expiration of 2 months from the day on which it is made.

Interpretation

2.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the [1954 c. 33 (N.I.).] Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 shall apply to Article 1 and the following provisions of this Order as it applies to a Measure of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

(2) For the purposes of this Order, section 20(2) of the Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 applies with the omission of the words “the liability of whose members is limited” and, where the affairs of a body corporate are managed by its members, applies in relation to the acts and defaults of a member in connection with his functions of management as if he were a director of the body corporate.

(3) In this Order—

“the Agency” means the Labour Relations Agency;

“contract of employment” means a contract of service or apprenticeship, whether express or implied, and (if it is express) whether oral or in writing;

“the Department” means the Department of Economic Development;

“employee” means an individual who has entered into or works under (or, where the employment has ceased, worked under) a contract of employment;

“employer”, in relation to an employee, means the person by whom the employee is (or, where the employment has ceased, was) employed;

“employers' association” has the same meaning as in the [1995 NI 12.] Trade Union and Labour Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1995;

“employment” means employment under a contract of employment and “employed” shall be construed accordingly;

“the Employment Rights Order” means the [1996 NI .] Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996;

“government department” means a Northern Ireland department or a department of the Government of the United Kingdom;

“industrial tribunal procedure regulations” has the meaning assigned by Article 9(1);

“statutory provision” has the meaning assigned by section 1(f) of the [1954 c. 33 (N.I.).] Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954;

“successor”, in relation to the employer of an employee, means (subject to paragraph (4)) a person who in consequence of a change occurring (whether by virtue of a sale or other disposition or by operation of law) in the ownership of the undertaking, or of the part of the undertaking, for the purposes of which the employee was employed, has become the owner of the undertaking or part;

“trade union” has the same meaning as in the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1995.

(4) The definition of “successor” in paragraph (3) has effect (subject to the necessary modifications) in relation to a case where—

(a)the person by whom an undertaking or part of an undertaking is owned immediately before a change is one of the persons by whom (whether as partners, trustees or otherwise) it is owned immediately after the change, or

(b)the persons by whom an undertaking or part of an undertaking is owned immediately before a change (whether as partners, trustees or otherwise) include the persons by whom, or include one or more of the persons by whom, it is owned immediately after the change,

as it has effect where the previous owner and the new owner are wholly different persons.

(5) For the purposes of this Order any two employers shall be treated as associated if—

(a)one is a company of which the other (directly or indirectly) has control, or

(b)both are companies of which a third person (directly or indirectly) has control;

and “associated employer” shall be construed accordingly.

Industrial tribunals

Industrial tribunals

3.—(1) The Department may by regulations make provision for the establishment of tribunals to be known as industrial tribunals.

(2) Regulations made (or having effect as if made) wholly or partly under Article 30 of the [1984 NI 9.] Industrial Training (Northern Ireland) Order 1984 and in operation immediately before this Order comes into operation shall, so far as made (or having effect as if made) under that provision, continue to have effect (until revoked) as if made under paragraph (1); and the tribunals established in pursuance of such regulations shall continue to be known as industrial tribunals.

Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction of industrial tribunals

4.  Industrial tribunals shall exercise the jurisdiction conferred on them by or by virtue of this Order or any other statutory provision.

Power to confer further jurisdiction on industrial tribunals

5.—(1) The Secretary of State may by order provide that proceedings in respect of—

(a)any claim to which this Article applies, or

(b)any claim to which this Article applies and which is of a description specified in the order,

may, subject to such exceptions (if any) as may be so specified, be brought before an industrial tribunal.

(2) Subject to paragraph (3), this Article applies to—

(a)a claim for damages for breach of a contract of employment or other contract connected with employment,

(b)a claim for a sum due under such a contract, and

(c)a claim for the recovery of a sum in pursuance of any statutory provision relating to the terms or performance of such a contract,

if the claim is such that a court in Northern Ireland would under the law for the time being in force have jurisdiction to hear and determine an action in respect of the claim.

(3) This Article does not apply to a claim for damages, or for a sum due, in respect of personal injuries.

(4) Any jurisdiction conferred on an industrial tribunal by virtue of this Article in respect of any claim is exercisable concurrently with any court in Northern Ireland which has jurisdiction to hear and determine an action in respect of the claim.

(5) In this Article “personal injuries” includes any disease and any impairment of a person’s physical or mental condition.

(6) In this Article a reference to breach of a contract includes a reference to breach of—

(a)a term implied in a contract by or under any statutory provision or otherwise,

(b)a term of a contract as modified by or under any statutory provision or otherwise, and

(c)a term which, although not contained in a contract, is incorporated in the contract by another term of the contract.

Membership etc.

Composition of a tribunal

6.—(1) Subject to the following provisions of this Article, proceedings before an industrial tribunal shall be heard by—

(a)the person who, in accordance with regulations made under Article 3(1), is the chairman, and

(b)two other members, or (with the consent of the parties) one other member, selected as the other members (or member) in accordance with regulations so made.

(2) Subject to paragraph (5), the proceedings specified in paragraph (3) shall be heard by the person mentioned in paragraph (1)(a) alone.

(3) The proceedings referred to in paragraph (2) are—

(a)proceedings on an application under Article 163, 166 or 167 of the Employment Rights Order (interim relief orders) or on a. complaint under Article 55 (protection of wages) or 233 (payments on insolvency of employer) of that Order;

(b)proceedings on a complaint under section 122 of the [1993 c. 49.] Pension Schemes (Northern Ireland) Act 1993;

(c)proceedings in respect of which an industrial tribunal has jurisdiction by virtue of Article 5;

(d)proceedings in which the parties have given their written consent to the proceedings being heard in accordance with paragraph (2) (whether or not they have subsequently withdrawn it),

(e)proceedings in which the person bringing the proceedings has given written notice withdrawing the case, and

(f)proceedings in which the person (or, where more than one, each of the persons) against whom the proceedings are brought does not, or has ceased to, contest the case.

(4) The Department may by order amend the provisions of paragraph (3).

(5) Proceedings specified in paragraph (3) shall be heard in accordance with paragraph (1) if a person who, in accordance with regulations made under Article 3(1), may be the chairman of an industrial tribunal, having regard to—

(a)whether there is a likelihood of a dispute arising on the facts, which makes it desirable for the proceedings to be heard in accordance with paragraph (1),

(b)whether there is a likelihood of an issue of law arising which would make it desirable for the proceedings to be heard in accordance with paragraph (2),

(c)any views of any of the parties as to whether or not the proceedings ought to be heard in accordance with either of those paragraphs, and

(d)whether there are other proceedings which might be heard concurrently but which are not proceedings specified in paragraph (3),

decides at any stage of the proceedings that the proceedings are to be heard in accordance with paragraph (1).

(6) Where (in accordance with the following provisions of this Order) the Department makes industrial tribunal procedure regulations, the regulations may provide that, in such circumstances as the regulations may specify, any act required or authorised by the regulations to be done by an industrial tribunal may be done by the person mentioned in paragraph (1)(a) alone.

(7) Where the Secretary of State so directs in relation to any proceedings on grounds of national security—

(a)the proceedings shall be heard and determined, and

(b)any act required or authorised by industrial tribunal procedure regulations to be done by an industrial tribunal in relation to the proceedings shall be done,

by the President of the Industrial Tribunals and the Fair Employment Tribunal (or a person nominated under section 3(6) of the [1989 c. 32.] Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 to discharge the functions of the President) alone.

Remuneration, fees and allowances

7.—(1) The Department may pay to—

(a)the President and Vice-President of the Industrial Tribunals and the Fair Employment Tribunal, and

(b)any person who is a member on a full-time basis of a panel of chairmen of tribunals which is appointed in accordance with regulations made under Article 3(1),

such remuneration as it may with the consent of the Department of Finance and Personnel determine.

(2) The Department may pay to—

(a)members of industrial tribunals,

(b)any assessors appointed for the purposes of proceedings before industrial tribunals, and

(c)any persons required for the purposes of section 2A(1)(h) of the [1970 c. 32 (NI).] Equal Pay Act (Northern Ireland) 1970 to prepare reports,

such fees and allowances as it may with the consent of the Department of Finance and Personnel determine.

(3) The Department may pay to any other persons such allowances as it may with the consent of the Department of Finance and Personnel determine for the purposes of, or in connection with, their attendance at industrial tribunals.

Procedure

Conduct of hearings

8.—(1) A person Procedure may appear before an industrial tribunal in person or be represented by—

(a)counsel or a solicitor,

(b)a representative of a trade union or an employers' association, or

(c)any other person whom he desires to represent him.

(2) Part I of the [1996 c.] Arbitration Act 1996 does not apply to any proceedings before an industrial tribunal.

Industrial tribunal procedure regulations

9.—(1) The Department may by regulations (“industrial tribunal procedure regulations”) make such provision as appears to it to be necessary or expedient with respect to proceedings before industrial tribunals.

(2) Proceedings before industrial tribunals shall be instituted in accordance with industrial tribunal procedure regulations.

(3) Industrial tribunal procedure regulations may, in particular, include provision—

(a)for determining by which tribunal any proceedings are to be determined,

(b)for enabling an industrial tribunal to hear and determine proceedings brought by virtue of Article 5 concurrently with proceedings brought before the tribunal otherwise than by virtue of that Article,

(c)for treating the Department (either generally or in such circumstances as may be prescribed by the regulations) as a party to any proceedings before an industrial tribunal (where it would not otherwise be a party to them) and entitling it to appear and to be heard accordingly,

(d)for requiring persons to attend to give evidence and produce documents and for authorising the administration of oaths to witnesses,

(e)for enabling an industrial tribunal, on the application of any party to the proceedings before it or of its own motion, to order such discovery or inspection of documents, or the furnishing of such further particulars, as might be ordered by a county court on application by a party to proceedings before it,

(f)for prescribing the procedure to be followed in any proceedings before an industrial tribunal, including provisions—

(i)as to the persons entitled to appear and to be heard on behalf of parties to such proceedings, and

(ii)for enabling an industrial tribunal to review its decisions, and revoke or vary its orders and awards, in such circumstances as may be determined in accordance with the regulations,

(g)for the appointment of one or more assessors for the purposes of any proceedings before an industrial tribunal, where the proceedings are brought under a statutory provision which provides for one or more assessors to be appointed,

(h)for authorising an industrial tribunal to require persons to furnish information and produce documents to a person required for the purposes of section 2A(1)(h) of the [1970 c. 32 (N.I.).] Equal Pay Act (Northern Ireland) 1970 to prepare a report, and

(i)for the registration and proof of decisions, orders and awards of industrial tribunals.

(4) A person who without reasonable excuse fails to comply with—

(a)any requirement imposed by virtue of paragraph (3)(d) or

(b)any requirement with respect to the discovery or inspection of documents imposed by virtue of paragraph (3)(e),

is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

(5) Subject to any regulations under Article 13(1)(a), industrial tribunal procedure regulations may include provision authorising or requiring an industrial tribunal, in circumstances specified in the regulations, to send notice or a copy of—

(a)any document specified in the regulations which relates to any proceedings before the tribunal, or

(b)any decision, order or award of the tribunal,

to any government department or other person or body so specified.

(6) Where in accordance with industrial tribunal procedure regulations an industrial tribunal determines in the same proceedings—

(a)a complaint presented under Article 145 of the Employment Rights Order (unfair dismissal), and

(b)a question referred under Article 198 of that Order (redundancy payments),

paragraph (2) of that Article has no effect for the purposes of the proceedings in so far as they relate to the complaint under Article 145.

Procedure in contract cases

10.—(1) Where in proceedings brought by virtue of Article 5 an industrial tribunal finds that the whole or part of a sum claimed in the proceedings is due, the tribunal shall order the respondent to the proceedings to pay the amount which it finds due.

(2) An order under Article 5 may provide that an industrial tribunal shall not in proceedings in respect of a claim, or a number of claims relating to the same contract, order the payment of an amount exceeding such sum as may be specified in the order as the ,maximum amount which an industrial tribunal may order to be paid in relation to a claim or in relation to a contract.

(3) An order under Article 5 may include provisions—

(a)as to the manner in which and time within which proceedings are to be brought by virtue of that Article, and

(b)modifying any other statutory provision.

Pre-hearing reviews and preliminary matters

11.—(1) Industrial tribunal procedure regulations may include provision—

(a)for authorising the carrying-out by an industrial tribunal of a preliminary consideration of any proceedings before it (a “pre-hearing review”), and

(b)for enabling such powers to be exercised in connection with a pre-hearing review as may be prescribed by the regulations.

(2) Such regulations may in particular include provision—

(a)for authorising any tribunal carrying out a pre-hearing review under the regulations to make, in circumstances specified in the regulations, an order requiring a party to the proceedings in question, if he wishes to continue to participate in those proceedings, to pay a deposit of an amount not exceeding £150, and

(b)for prescribing—

(i)the manner in which the amount of any such deposit is to be determined in any particular case,

(ii)the consequences of non-payment of any such deposit, and

(iii)the circumstances in which any such deposit, or any part of it, may be refunded to the party who paid it or be paid over to another party to the proceedings.

(3) The Department may by order substitute for the sum specified in paragraph (2)(a) such other sum as is specified in the order.

(4) Industrial tribunal procedure regulations may also include provision for authorising an industrial tribunal to hear and determine any issue relating to the entitlement of any party to proceedings to bring or contest the proceedings in advance of the hearing and determination of the proceedings by that or any other industrial tribunal.

(5) Where a complaint is presented to an industrial tribunal under Article 145 of the Employment Rights Order (unfair dismissal) and it appears to the tribunal that the dismissal to which the complaint relates is one in respect of which (as being unlawful discrimination within the meaning of the [1976 c. 25.] Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1976)—

(a)a complaint could be made to the Fair Employment Tribunal for Northern Ireland under Part III of that Act, or

(b)such a complaint has been made, but the proceedings under that Act have not been disposed of,

the tribunal shall not proceed further under the Employment Rights Order in relation to the complaint unless all proceedings which can be taken under that Act in respect of the dismissal have been disposed of.

National security etc.

12.—(1) The Secretary of State may on grounds of national security direct an industrial tribunal to sit in private when hearing or determining any proceedings specified in the direction.

(2) Industrial tribunal procedure regulations may enable an industrial tribunal to sit in private for the purpose of—

(a)hearing evidence which in the opinion of the tribunal relates to matters of such a nature that it would be against the interests of national security, public safety or public order to allow the evidence to be given in public, or

(b)hearing evidence from any person which in the opinion of the tribunal is likely to consist of—

(i)information which he could not disclose without contravening a prohibition imposed by or by virtue of any statutory provision,

(ii)information which has been communicated to him in confidence or which he has otherwise obtained in consequence of the confidence reposed in him by another person, or

(iii)information the disclosure of which would, for reasons other than its effect on negotiations with respect to any of the matters mentioned in Article 96(1) of the [1992 NI 5.] Industrial Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1992, cause substantial injury to any undertaking of his or in which he works.

(3) The reference in paragraph (2)(b)(iii) to any undertaking of a person or in which he works shall be construed, in relation to a person in Crown employment, as a reference to the national interest.

(4) If on a complaint under Article 74 (action short of dismissal) or 145 (unfair dismissal) of the Employment Rights Order it is shown that the action complained of was taken for the purpose of safeguarding national security, or protecting public safety or public order, the industrial tribunal shall dismiss the complaint.

(5) Except where the complaint is that a dismissal is unfair by virtue of—

(a)Article 131(1) to (3) (pregnancy), 132 (health and safety) or 134 (employee representatives) of the Employment Rights Order, or

(b)paragraph (1) of Article 137 of that Order (redundancy) by T reason of the application of paragraph (2), (3) or (5) of that Article,

a certificate purporting to be signed by or on behalf of the Secretary of State and certifying that the action specified in the certificate was taken for the purpose of safeguarding national security, or protecting public safety or public order, is for the purposes of paragraph (4) conclusive evidence of that fact.

(6) The reference in paragraph (5) to “dismissal” shall, in relation to a person in Crown employment, be construed as a reference to termination of Crown employment.

Restriction of publicity in cases involving sexual misconduct

13.—(1) Industrial tribunal procedure regulations may include provision—

(a)for cases involving allegations of the commission of sexual offences, for securing that the registration or other making available of documents or decisions shall be so effected as to prevent the identification of any person affected by or making the allegation, and

(b)for cases involving allegations of sexual misconduct, enabling an industrial tribunal, on the application of any party to proceedings before it or of its own motion, to make a restricted reporting order having effect (if not revoked earlier) until the promulgation of the decision of the tribunal.

(2) If any identifying matter is published or included in a relevant programme in contravention of a restricted reporting order—

(a)in the case of publication in a newspaper or periodical, any proprietor, any editor and any publisher of the newspaper or periodical,

(b)in the case of publication in any other form, the person publishing the matter, and

(c)in the case of matter included in a relevant programme—

(i)any body corporate engaged in providing the service in which the programme is included, and

(ii)any person having functions in relation to the programme corresponding to those of an editor of a newspaper,

shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.

(3) Where a person is charged with an offence under paragraph (2) it is a defence to prove that at the time of the alleged offence he was not aware, and neither suspected nor had reason to suspect, that the publication or programme in question was of, or included, the matter in question.

(4) In this Article—

• “identifying matter”, in relation to a person, means any matter likely to lead members of the public to identify him as a person affected by, or as the person making, the allegation,

• “relevant programme” means a programme included in a programme service, within the meaning of the [1990 c. 42.] Broadcasting Act 1990,

• “restricted reporting order” means an order—

  (a)

  made in exercise of a power conferred by regulations made by virtue of this Article, and

  (b)

  prohibiting the publication in Northern Ireland of identifying matter in a written publication available to the public or its inclusion in a relevant programme for reception in Northern Ireland,

• “sexual misconduct” means the commission of a sexual offence, sexual harassment or other adverse conduct (of whatever nature) related to sex, and conduct is related to sex whether the relationship with sex lies in the character of the conduct or in its having reference to the sex or sexual orientation of the person at whom the conduct is directed,

• “sexual offence” means—

  (a)

  rape, aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring rape or attempted rape, incitement to rape, conspiracy to rape or burglary with intent to rape;

  (b)

  any offence under any of the following statutory provisions, namely—

  (i)

  section 52, 61 or 62 of the [1861 c. 100.] Offences Against the Person Act 1861;

  (ii)

  section 3, 4 or 5 of the [1885 c. 69.] Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885;

  (iii)

  section 1 or 2 of the [1908 c. 45.] Punishment of Incest Act 1908;

  (iv)

  section 22 of the [1968 c. 34 (N.I.).] Children and Young Persons Act (Northern Ireland) 1968;

  (v)

  Article 9 of the [1980 NI 6.] Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 1980;

  (vi)

  Article 122(1)(a) or (b) or 123 of the [1986 NI 4.] Mental Health (Northern Ireland) Order 1986;

  (c)

  any attempt to commit any of the offences mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) or (b);

• “written publication” includes a film, a sound track and any other record in permanent form but does not include an indictment or other document prepared for use in particular legal proceedings.

Restriction of publicity in disability cases

14.—(1) This Article applies to proceedings on a complaint under section 8 of the [1995 c. 50.] Disability Discrimination Act 1995 in which evidence of a personal nature is likely to be heard by the industrial tribunal hearing the complaint.

(2) Industrial tribunal procedure regulations may include provision in relation to proceedings to which this Article applies for—

(a)enabling an industrial tribunal, on the application of the complainant or of its own motion, to make a restricted reporting order having effect (if not revoked earlier) until the promulgation of the decision of the tribunal, and

(b)where a restricted ,reporting order is made in relation to a complaint which is being dealt with by the tribunal together with any other proceedings, enabling the tribunal to direct that the order is to apply also in relation to those other proceedings or such part of them as the tribunal may direct.

(3) If any identifying matter is published or included in a relevant programme in contravention of a restricted reporting order—

(a)in the case of publication in a newspaper or periodical, any proprietor, any editor and any publisher of the newspaper or periodical,

(b)in the case of publication in any other form, the person publishing the matter, and

(c)in the case of matter included in a relevant programme—

(i)any body corporate engaged in providing the service in which the programme is included, and

(ii)any person having functions in relation to the programme corresponding to those of an editor of a newspaper,

shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.

(4) Where a person is charged with an offence under paragraph (3), it is a defence to prove that at the time of the alleged offence he was not aware, and neither suspected nor had reason to suspect, that the publication or programme in question was of, or included, the matter in question.

(5) In this Article—

“evidence of a personal nature” means any evidence of a medical, or other intimate, nature which might reasonably be assumed to be likely to cause significant embarrassment to the complainant if reported,

“identifying matter” means any matter likely to lead members of the public to identify the complainant or such other persons (if any) as may be named in the order,

“promulgation” has such meaning as may be prescribed by regulations made by virtue of this Article,

“relevant programme” means a programme included in a programme service, within the meaning of the [1990 c. 42.] Broadcasting Act 1990,

“restricted reporting order” means an order—

“written publication” includes a film, a sound track and any other record in permanent form but does not include an indictment or other document prepared for use in particular legal proceedings.

Costs and expenses

15.—(1) Industrial tribunal procedure regulations may include provision—

(a)for the award of costs or expenses, including any allowances payable under Article 7(2)(c) or (3), and

(b)for taxing or otherwise settling any such costs or expenses (and, in particular, for enabling such costs to be taxed in a county court).

(2) In relation to proceedings under Article 145 of the Employment Rights Order (unfair dismissal)—

(a)where the employee has expressed a wish to be reinstated or re-engaged which has been communicated to the employer at least seven days before the hearing of the complaint, or

(b)where the proceedings arise out of the employer’s failure to permit the employee to return to work after an absence due to pregnancy or childbirth,

industrial tribunal procedure regulations shall include provision for requiring the employer to pay the costs or expenses of any postponement or adjournment of the hearing caused by his failure, without a special reason, to adduce reasonable evidence as to the availability of the job from which the complainant was dismissed, or which she held before her absence, or of comparable or suitable employment.

Interest

16.—(1) The Department may by order made with the approval of the Department of Finance and Personnel provide that sums payable in pursuance of decisions of industrial tribunals shall carry interest at such rate and between such times as may be prescribed by the order.

(2) Any interest due by virtue of such an order shall be recoverable as a sum payable in pursuance of the decision.

(3) The power conferred by paragraph (1) includes power—

(a)to specify cases or circumstances in which interest is not payable,

(b)to provide that interest is payable only on sums exceeding a specified amount or falling between specified amounts,

(c)to make provision for the manner in which and the periods by reference to which interest is to be calculated and paid,

(d)to provide that any statutory provision—

(i)does or does not apply in relation to interest payable by virtue of paragraph (1), or

(ii)applies to it with such modifications as may be specified in the order,

(e)to make provision for cases where sums are payable in pursuance of decisions or awards made on appeal from industrial tribunals.

(4) In particular, an order under paragraph (1) may provide that the rate of interest shall be the rate from time to time in force in relation to interest on amounts awarded by decree in the county court.

Enforcement

17.—(1) Any sum payable in pursuance of a decision of an industrial tribunal which has been registered in accordance with industrial tribunal procedure regulations shall, if a county court so orders, be enforceable as if it were payable under an order of that court.

(2) In this Article a reference to a decision of an industrial tribunal—

(a)does not include a decision which, on being reviewed, has been revoked by the tribunal, and

(b)in relation to a decision which on being reviewed, has been varied by the tribunal, shall be construed as a reference to the decision as so varied.

Recoupment of social security benefits

Power to provide for recoupment of benefits

18.—(1) This Article applies to payments which are the subject of proceedings before industrial tribunals and which are—

(a)payments of wages or compensation for loss of wages,

(b)payments by employers to employees under any of the following provisions of the Employment Rights Order—

(i)Part V (guarantee payments);

(ii)Part VI (protection from detriment, etc. in employment);

(iii)Part VII (time off work);

(iv)Part VIII (suspension from work);

(v)Article 125 (written statement of reasons for dismissal);

(vi)Part XI (unfair dismissal);

(vii)Article 220 (handling of redundancies); or

(c)payments by employers to employees of a nature similar to, or for a purpose corresponding to the purpose of, payments within sub-paragraph (b),

and to payments of remuneration under a protective award under Article 217 of the Employment Rights Order.

(2) The Department and the Department of Health and Social Services (acting jointly) may by regulations make with respect to payments to which this Article applies provision for any or all of the purposes specified in paragraph (3).

(3) The purposes referred to in paragraph (2) are—

(a)enabling the Department of Health and Social Services to recover from an employer, by way of total or partial recoupment of jobseeker’s allowance or income support—

(i)a sum not exceeding the amount of the prescribed element of the monetary award, or

(ii)in the case of a protective award, the amount of the remuneration,

(b)requiring or authorising an industrial tribunal to order the payment of such a sum, by way of total or partial recoupment of either benefit, to the Department of Health and Social Services instead of to an employee, and

(c)requiring an industrial tribunal to order the payment to an employee of only the excess of the prescribed element of the monetary award over the amount of any jobseeker’s allowance or income support shown to the tribunal to have been paid to the employee and enabling the Department of Health and Social Services to recover from the employer, by way of total or partial recoupment of the benefit, a sum not exceeding that amount.

(4) Regulations under this Article may—

(a)confer powers and impose duties on industrial tribunals or adjudication officers or other persons,

(b)impose on an employer to whom a monetary award or protective award relates a duty—

(i)to furnish particulars connected with the award, and

(ii)to suspend payments in pursuance of the award during any period prescribed by the regulations,

(c)provide for an employer who pays a sum to the Department of Health and Social Services in pursuance of this Article to be relieved from any liability to pay the sum to another person,

(d)confer on an employee a right of appeal to a social security appeal tribunal against any decision of an adjudication officer as to the total or partial recoupment of an income-based jobseeker’s allowance or of income support in pursuance of the regulations, and

(e)provide for the proof in proceedings before industrial tribunals (whether by certificate or in any other manner) of any amount of jobseeker’s allowance or income support paid to an employee.

Recoupment: further provisions

19.—(1) Where in pursuance of any regulations under Article 18 a sum has been recovered by or paid to the Department of Health and Social Services by way of total or partial recoupment of jobseeker’s allowance or income support—

(a)no sum shall be recoverable under Part III or V of the [1992 c. 8.] Social Security Administration Act (Northern Ireland) 1992, and

(b)no abatement, payment or reduction shall be made by reference to the jobseeker’s allowance or income support recouped.

(2) Any amount found to have been duly recovered by or paid to the Department of Health and Social Services in pursuance of regulations under Article 18 by way of total or partial recoupment of 1 jobseeker’s allowance shall be paid into the Northern Ireland National Insurance Fund.

(3) In Article 18—

“monetary award” means the amount which is awarded, or ordered to be paid, to the employee by the tribunal or would be so awarded or ordered apart from any provision of regulations under that Article, and

“the prescribed element”, in relation to any monetary award, means so much of that award as is attributable to such matters as may be prescribed by regulations under that Article.

(4) In Article 18 “income-based jobseeker’s allowance” has the same meaning as in the [1995 NI 15.] Jobseekers (Northern Ireland) Order 1995.

Conciliation

Conciliation

20.—(1) This Article applies in the case of industrial tribunal proceedings and claims which could be the subject of industrial tribunal proceedings—

(a)under—

(i)section 2(1) of the [1970 c. 32 (N.I.).] Equal Pay Act (Northern Ireland) 1970,

(ii)Article 63 of the [1976 NI 15.] Sex Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 1976, or

(iii)section 8 of the [1995 c. 50.] Disability Discrimination Act 1995;

(b)arising out of a contravention, or alleged contravention, of Article 31, 35 or 38 of the [1995 NI 12.] Trade Union and Labour Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1995;

(c)arising out of a contravention, or alleged contravention, of any of the following provisions of the Employment Rights Order—

(i)Article 26 or 27 (access to employment);

(ii)Article 40 (itemised pay statement);

(iii)Article 45,47,50(1) or 53(1) (protection of wages);

(iv)Article 60 (guarantee payments);

(v)Part VI (protection from detriment, etc. in employment);

(vi)Part VII (time off work);

(vii)Part VIII (suspension from work);

(viii)Article 124 (written statement of reasons for dismissal);

(ix)Part XI (unfair dismissal);

(x)Article 216 or 218 (handling of redundancies and protective awards);

(d)which are proceedings in respect of which an industrial tribunal has jurisdiction by virtue of Article 5, or

(e)arising out of a contravention, or alleged contravention, of a provision specified by an order under paragraph (8)(b) as a provision to which this paragraph applies.

(2) Where an application has been presented to an industrial tribunal, and a copy of it has been sent to the Agency, it is the duty of the Agency—

(a)if it is requested to do so by the person by whom and the person against whom the proceedings are brought, or

(b)if, in the absence of any such request, the Agency considers that it could act under this paragraph with a reasonable prospect of success,

to endeavour to promote a settlement of the complaint without its being determined by an industrial tribunal.

(3) Where at any time—

(a)a person claims that action has been taken in respect of which proceedings could be brought by him before an industrial tribunal, but

(b)before any application relating to that action has been presented by him a request is made to the Agency (whether by that person or by the person against whom the proceedings could be instituted) to make its services available to them,

the Agency shall act in accordance with paragraph (2) as if an application had been presented to an industrial tribunal.

(4) Where a person who has presented a complaint to an industrial tribunal under Article 145 of the Employment Rights Order (unfair dismissal) has ceased to be employed by the employer against whom the complaint was made, the Agency shall (for the purpose of promoting a settlement of the complaint in accordance with paragraph (2)) in particular—

(a)seek to promote the reinstatement or re-engagement of the complainant by the employer, or by a successor of the employer or by an associated employer, on terms appearing to the Agency to be equitable, and

(b)where the complainant does not wish to be reinstated or re-engaged, or where reinstatement or re-engagement is not practicable, and the parties desire the Agency to act, seek to promote agreement between them as to a sum by way of compensation to be paid by the employer to the complainant.

(5) Where at any time—

(a)a person claims that action has been taken in respect of which a complaint could be presented by him to an industrial tribunal under Article 145 of the Employment Rights Order (unfair dismissal), but

(b)before any complaint relating to that action has been presented by him a request is made to the Agency (whether by that person or by the employer) to make its services available to them,

the Agency shall act in accordance with paragraph (4) as if a complaint had been presented to an industrial tribunal under that Article.

(6) In proceeding under this Article the Agency shall, where appropriate, have regard to the desirability of encouraging the use of other procedures available for the settlement of grievances.

(7) Anything communicated to the Agency in connection with the performance of its functions under this Article shall not be admissible in evidence in any proceedings before an industrial tribunal, except with the consent of the person who communicated it to the Agency.

(8) The Department may by order—

(a)direct that further provisions of the Employment Rights Order be added to the list in paragraph (1)(c),

(b)specify any other statutory provision as a provision to which paragraph (1)(e) applies.

(9) This Article does not apply in respect of any period during which, by virtue of Article 11(5), an industrial tribunal may not proceed under the Employment Rights Order.

Conciliation procedure

21.  Industrial tribunal procedure regulations shall include in relation to industrial tribunal proceedings in the case of which any statutory provision makes provision for conciliation—

(a)provisions requiring a copy of the application by which the proceedings are instituted, and a copy of any notice relating to it which is lodged by or on behalf of the person against whom the proceedings are brought, to be sent to the Agency,

(b)provisions securing that the applicant and the person against whom the proceedings are brought are notified that the services of the Agency are available to them, and

(c)provisions postponing the hearing of any such proceedings for such period as may be determined in accordance with the regulations for the purpose of giving an opportunity for the proceedings to be settled by way of conciliation and withdrawn.

Appeals from industrial tribunals

Appeals from industrial tribunals

22.—(1) A party to proceedings before an industrial tribunal who is dissatisfied in point of law with a decision of the tribunal may, according as rules of court may provide, either—

(a)appeal therefrom to the Court of Appeal, or

(b)require the tribunal to state and sign a case for the opinion of the Court of Appeal.

(2) Rules of court may provide for authorising or requiring the tribunal to state, in the form of a special case for the decision of the Court of Appeal, any question of law arising in the proceedings.

Supplementary

Crown employment

23.—(1) This Order has effect in relation to Crown employment and persons in Crown employment as it has effect in relation to other employment and other employees.

(2) In this Order “Crown employment” means employment under or for the purposes of a government department or any officer or body exercising on behalf of the Crown functions conferred by a statutory provision.

(3) For the purposes of the application of this Order in relation to Crown employment in accordance with paragraph (1)—

(a)references to an employee shall be construed as references to a person in Crown employment, and

(b)references to a contract of employment shall be construed as references to the terms of employment of a person in Crown employment.

(4) Paragraph (1) applies to—

(a)service as a member of the naval, military or air forces of the Crown, and

(b)employment by an association established for the purposes of Part VI of the [1980 c. 9.] Reserve Forces Act 1980;

but the Secretary of State may by order make any provision of this Order apply to service as a member of the naval, military or air forces of the Crown subject to such exceptions and modifications as may be specified in the order.

Power to amend Order

24.  The Department may by order—

(a)provide that any provision of this Order which is specified in the order shall not apply to persons, or to employments, of such classes as may be prescribed in the order, or

(b)provide that any provision of this Order shall apply to persons or employments of such classes as may be prescribed in the order subject to such exceptions and modifications as may be so prescribed.

Regulations and orders

25.—(1) All regulations under this Order shall be subject to negative resolution.

(2) An order under Article 5 or 23(4) shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament in like manner as a statutory instrument and section 5 of the [1946 c. 36.] Statutory Instruments Act 1946 shall apply accordingly.

(3) An order under Article 6(4) or 24 shall—

(a)be laid before the Assembly as soon as may be after it is made,

(b)come into operation on such date as is specified in the order, and

(c)cease to have effect upon the expiration of a period of 6 months from the date on which it came into operation unless, before the expiration of that period, it is approved by a resolution of the Assembly.

(4) All other orders made by the Department under this Order (other than an order under Part II of Schedule 2) shall be subject to negative resolution.

(5) Regulations and orders under this Order may contain incidental, supplementary and transitional provisions.

Consequential amendments

26.  Schedule 1 (consequential amendments) shall have effect.

Transitional provisions, savings and transitory provisions

27.  Schedule 2 (transitional provisions, savings and transitory provisions) shall have effect.

Repeals and revocations

28.—(1) The statutory provisions specified in Schedule 3 are hereby repealed to the extent specified in the third column of that Schedule.

(2) Regulation 3(3) and (4) of the [SR 1984/16.] Equal Pay (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1984 is hereby revoked.

(3) Regulations 7(4), 8(3) and 9(3) of the [SR 1995/417.] Collective Redundancies and Transfer of Undertakings (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995 are hereby revoked.

SCHEDULES

Article 26.

SCHEDULE 1CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS

The Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 (c. 33 (N.I.))

1.  For section 42(5) substitute—

“(5) In an enactment the expression “industrial tribunal” means a tribunal established under Article 3 of the Industrial Tribunals (Northern Ireland) Order 1996.”

The Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Act 1969 (c. 7 (N.I.))

2.  In section 2(1)(b)(ii) for “Article 30 of the Industrial Training (Northern Ireland) Order 1984” substitute “Article 3 of the Industrial Tribunals (Northern Ireland) Order 1996”.

The Northern Ireland Assembly Disqualification Act 1975 (c. 25)

3.  In Part II of Schedule 1 for the words “A tribunal established under section 13 of the Industrial Training Act (Northern Ireland) 1964” substitute “A tribunal established under Article 3 of the Industrial Tribunals (Northern Ireland) Order 1996”.

The Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1976 (c. 25)

4.  In section 26(7) for “Paragraphs (3) to (6) of Article 61 of the Industrial Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1976” substitute “Article 16 of the Industrial Tribunals (Northern Ireland) Order 1996”.

The Sex Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 1976 (NI 15)

5.—(1) In Article 75(5)(b) for “regulations made under Article 59 of the Industrial Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1976” substitute “industrial tribunal procedure regulations under the Industrial Tribunals (Northern Ireland) Order 1996”.

(2) In Article 77(4)(a) for the words from “the assistance of” to the end substitute “the assistance of the Labour Relations Agency”.

The Aircraft and Shipbuilding Industries Act 1977 (c. 3)

6.  In sections 49(10) and 50(3)(b) for “Article 30 of the Industrial Training (Northern Ireland) Order 1984” substitute “Article 3 of the Industrial Tribunals (Northern Ireland) Order 1996”.

The Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (c. 32)

7.—(1) In section 6(3)(b) for “Article 29(2) of the Industrial Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1976” substitute “Article 11(5) of the Industrial Tribunals (Northern Ireland) Order 1996”.

(2) In section 6(3)(c) for “Article 61 of the Industrial Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1976” substitute “Articles 16 and 17 of the Industrial Tribunals (Northern Ireland) Order 1996”.

(2) In section 6(3)(d) for “Article 31 of the Industrial Training (Northern Ireland) Order 1984” substitute “Article 22 of the Industrial Tribunals (Northern Ireland) Order 1996”.

The Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 (c. 8)

8.  In section 56(4) for “Article 72(1) of the Industrial Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1976” substitute “Article 18 of the Industrial Tribunals (Northern Ireland) Order 1996”.

The Judicial Pensions and Retirement Act 1993 (c. 8)

9.  In the following provisions, namely—

(a)in Schedule 1, in Part II, in the entry relating to the office of chairman of industrial tribunals or of the Fair Employment Tribunal;

(b)in Schedule 5, in the entry relating to the chairman of industrial tribunals in Northern Ireland, and

(c)in Schedule 7, in paragraph 5(2)(h) and (5)(viii),

for “Article 30 of the Industrial Training (Northern Ireland) Order 1984” substitute “Article 3 of the Industrial Tribunals (Northern Ireland) Order 1996”.

The Pension Schemes (Northern Ireland) Act 1993 (c. 49)

10.  In section 176(1) in the definition of “industrial tribunal” for “Article 30 of the Industrial Training (Northern Ireland) Order 1984” substitute “Article 3 of the Industrial Tribunals (Northern Ireland) Order 1996”.

The Trade Union and Labour Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 (NI 12)

11.  In Article 146(2) for “Article 62(2) to (5) of the No. 1 Order” substitute “Article 20 of the Industrial Tribunals (Northern Ireland) Order 1996”.

The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (c. 50)

12.  In Schedule 8, in paragraph 5(2) for “Article 61(3) of the Industrial Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1976” substitute “Article 16 of the Industrial Tribunals (Northern Ireland) Order 1996”.

The Ombudsman (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (NI 8)

13.  In Schedule 3, in the entry relating to industrial tribunals, for “Article 30 of the Industrial Training (Northern Ireland) Order 1984” substitute “Article 3 of the Industrial Tribunals (Northern Ireland) Order 1996”.

Article 27.

SCHEDULE 2TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS, SAVINGS AND TRANSITORY PROVISIONS

PART ITRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS AND SAVINGS

1.  The substitution of this Order for the provisions repealed or revoked by this Order does not affect the continuity of the law.

2.  Anything done, or having effect as done, (including the making of subordinate legislation) under or for the purposes of any provision repealed or revoked by this Order has effect as if done under or for the purposes of any corresponding provision of this Order.

3.  Any reference (express or implied) in this Order or any other statutory provision, or in any instrument or document, to a provision of this Order is (so far as the context permits) to be read as (according to the context) being or including in relation to times, circumstances and purposes before the coming into operation of this Order a reference to the corresponding provision repealed or revoked by this Order.

4.—(1) Any reference (express or implied) in any statutory provision, or in any instrument or document, to a provision repealed or revoked by this Order is (so far as the context permits) to be read as (according to the context) being or including in relation to times, circumstances and purposes after the coming into operation of this Order a reference to the corresponding provision of this Order.

(2) In particular, where a power conferred by a statutory provision is expressed to be exercisable in relation to statutory provisions passed or made before the statutory provision conferring the power, the power is also exercisable in relation to provisions of this Order which reproduce such statutory provisions.

5.  Paragraphs 1 to 4 have effect in place of section 29 of the Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 (but are without prejudice to any other provision of that Act).

PART IITRANSITORY PROVISIONS

Disability discrimination

6.—(1) If section 62 of the [1995 c. 50.] Disability Discrimination Act 1995 has not come into force before the coming into operation of this Order, this Order shall have effect with the omission of Article 14 until the relevant commencement date.

(2) The reference in sub-paragraph (1) to the relevant commencement date is a reference—

(a)if an order has been made before the coming into operation of this Order appointing a date after that coming into operation as the day on which section 62 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 is to come into force, to the day so appointed, and

(b)otherwise, to such day as the Department may by order appoint.

(3) If paragraph 1 of Schedule 3 to the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 has not come into force before the coming into operation of this Order, this Order shall have effect with the omission of Article 20(1)(a)(iii) until the relevant commencement date.

(4) The reference in sub-paragraph (3) to the relevant commencement date is a reference—

(a)if an order has been made before the coming into operation of this Order appointing a day after that coming into operation as the day on which paragraph 1 of Schedule 3 to the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 is to come into force, to the day so appointed, and

(b)otherwise, to such day as the Department may by order appoint.

Jobseeker’s allowance

7.—(1) If paragraph 1 of Schedule 2 to the [1995 NI 15.] Jobseekers (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 has not come into operation before the coming into operation of this Order, this Order shall have effect until the relevant commencement date as if a reference to unemployment benefit were substituted for—

(a)each of the references to jobseeker’s allowance in paragraph (3) of Article 18.

(b)the second reference to jobseeker’s allowance in paragraph (4) of that Article,

(c)the first reference to jobseeker’s allowance in paragraph (1) of Article 19, and

(d)the reference to jobseeker’s allowance in paragraph (2) of that Article.

(2) The reference in sub-paragraph (1) to the relevant commencement date is a reference—

(a)if an order has been made before the coming into operation of this Order appointing a day after that coming into operation as the day on which paragraph 1 of Schedule 2 to the Jobseekers (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 is to come into force, to the day so appointed, and

(b)otherwise, to such day as the Department may by order appoint.

Armed forces

8.—(1) If Article 10 of the Industrial Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1993 has not come into operation before the coming into operation of this Order, Article 23 shall have effect until the relevant commencement date as if for paragraph (4) there were substituted—

“(4) Paragraph (1)—

(a)does not apply to service as a member of the naval, military or air forces of the Crown, but

(b)does apply to employment by an association established for the purposes of Part VI of the Reserve Forces Act 1980.”

(2) The reference in sub-paragraph (1) to the relevant commencement date is a reference—

(a)if an order has been made before the coming into operation of this Order, appointing a day after that coming into operation as the day on which Article 10 of the Industrial Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1993 is to come into operation, to the day so appointed, and

(b)otherwise, to such day as the Department may by order appoint.

Article 28.

SCHEDULE 3REPEALS

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order re-enacts with minor amendments the statutory provisions relating to the constitution, jurisdiction and procedure of industrial tribunals.