Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973
1973 CHAPTER 36
An Act to make new provision for the government of Northern Ireland.
[18th July 1973]
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1Act amended by Patents, Designs and Marks Act 1986 (c. 39, SIF 67A), s. 2(2)
C2Act amended by Social Security Act 1990 (c. 27, SIF 113:1), s. 22(2)
C3Act amended (1.8.1991) by Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 (c. 37, SIF 83:1), s. 48(2)(with ss. 39(3), 43(2)); S.I. 1991/1400, art. 2(2)
C4Act excluded by Environmental Protection Act 1990 (c. 43, SIF 46:4), ss. 3(8), 153(5)
C5Act amended (1.9.1992) by Child Support Act 1991 (c. 48, SIF 20), s. 23(4), (with s. 9(2)); S.I. 1992/1938, art.2
C6Act amended (25.10.1993) by 1993 c. 39, s. 63(2), S.I. 1993/2632, art. 2
C7Act amended (7.2.1994) by 1993 c. 48. ss. 187(1); S.I. 1994/86, art. 2
Commencement Information
Part IU.K. Preliminary
Status of Northern IrelandU.K.
F11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.
Textual Amendments
F1S. 1 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
Devolution ordersU.K.
F22. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.
Textual Amendments
F2S. 2 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
F33. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.
Textual Amendments
F3S. 3 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
Part IIU.K. Legislative Powers and Executive Authorities
Legislative powersU.K.
F44. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.
Textual Amendments
F4S. 4 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
F55. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.
Textual Amendments
F5S. 5 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
F66. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.
Textual Amendments
F6S. 6 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
Executive authoritiesU.K.
F77. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.
Textual Amendments
F7S. 7 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
F88. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.
Textual Amendments
F8S. 8 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
F99. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.
Textual Amendments
F9S. 9 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
10 Attorney General for Northern Ireland.U.K.
F10(1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F11(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F11(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F12
Textual Amendments
F10S. 10(1) repealed (12.4.2010) by Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 (c. 26), s. 87(1), Sch. 13; S.R. 2010/113, art. 2, Sch. para. 21(e)
F11S. 10(2)(3) repealed (30.9.1997) by 1997 c. 60, s. 3(2), Sch.
F12S. 10(4) repealed by Statute Law (Repeals) Act 1981 (c. 19), Sch. 1 Pt. IV
F1311. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.
Textual Amendments
F13S. 11 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
Relations with Republic of IrelandU.K.
F1412. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.
Textual Amendments
F14S. 12 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, ss. 100(2), Sch. 15 (with Sch. 14 para. 20); S.I. 1999, art. 2, Sch.
Financial provisionsU.K.
F1513. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.
Textual Amendments
F15S. 13 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
F1614. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.
Textual Amendments
F16S. 14 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, ss. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
F1715. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.
Textual Amendments
F17S. 15 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
F1816. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.
Textual Amendments
F18S. 16 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
Part IIIU.K. Prevention of Religious and Political Discrimination
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C8Pt. III (ss. 17-23) modified (N.I.) (1.7.1992) by Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 (c. 8), ss. 167(2), 168(4) (with ss. 153(5), 161, Sch. 6 para. 1(7))
C9Pt. III (ss. 17-23) modified (N.I.) (7.2.1994) by 1993 c. 49, ss. 176(8), 186(2)
F1917. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.
Textual Amendments
F19S. 17 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15 (with Sch. 14 para. 21); S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
F2018. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.
Textual Amendments
F20S. 18 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15 (with Sch. 14 para. 21); S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
F2119. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.
Textual Amendments
F21S. 19 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15 (with Sch. 14 para. 22); S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
F2220. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.
Textual Amendments
F22S. 20 repealed (1.3.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/340, art. 2, Sch. Pt. III
F2321. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.
Textual Amendments
F23S. 21 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
F2422. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.
Textual Amendments
F24S. 22 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
F2523. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.
Textual Amendments
F25S. 23 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
Part IVU.K. The Northern Ireland Assembly
F2624. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.
Textual Amendments
F26S. 24 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, ss. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
F2725. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.
Textual Amendments
F27S. 25 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
F2826. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.
Textual Amendments
F28S. 26 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
F2927. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.
Textual Amendments
F29S. 27 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
F3028. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.
Textual Amendments
F30S. 28 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
F3129. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.
Textual Amendments
F31S. 29 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
F3230. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.
Textual Amendments
F32S. 30 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
Part VU.K. Miscellaneous and Supplementary
31
F33(1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F33(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F33(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F34(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F34(5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F34(6). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F33S. 31(1)-(3) repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
F34S. 31(4)-(6) repealed (19.11.1998) by 1998 c. 47, ss. 100(1), 101(2), Sch. 15
F3532. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.
Textual Amendments
F35S. 32 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(1), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
33 Preservation of pension rights of former members of Parliament of Northern Ireland and former Ministers.U.K.
F36(1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2)Save as aforesaid and without prejudice to any provision made under this Act, nothing in this Act affects any pension payable under the said Act of 1965 or section 1 of the M1Ministerial Offices Act (Northern Ireland) 1952 the right to which has accrued before the passing of this Act or accrues upon a person ceasing to be a member of the Parliament of Northern Ireland by reason of section 31 above.
Textual Amendments
F36S. 33(1) repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
Marginal Citations
34 Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland.U.K.
F37. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F37S. 34 repealed (13.6.2005) by 2002 c. 26, ss. 86, 87, Sch. 13; S.R. 2005/281, art. 2, Sch. 1 para. 14(b)
35 Crown Solicitor for Northern Ireland.U.K.
(1)As from the appointed day there shall be a Crown Solicitor for Northern Ireland appointed by the [F38Advocate General for Northern Ireland after consultation with the Attorney General for Northern Ireland] .
[F39(1A)A person is not qualified for appointment as Crown Solicitor unless he is—
(a)a member of the Bar of Northern Ireland of at least ten years’standing; or
(b)a solicitor of the [F40Court of Judicature] of at least ten years’ standing.]
(2)The Crown Solicitor shall hold office on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the [F41Advocate General for Northern Ireland] .
[F42(3)The Crown Solicitor—
(a)must make his services available to any Minister or department of the Government of the United Kingdom; and
(b)may make his services available to any Northern Ireland Minister or Northern Ireland department or any other public body or holder of public office.]
(4)The remuneration of, and other expenses incurred in connection with, the Crown Solicitor shall be defrayed out of moneys provided by Parliament.
Textual Amendments
F38Words in s. 35(1) substituted (12.4.2010) by Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 (c. 26), s. 87(1), Sch. 7 para. 14(2); S.R. 2010/113, art. 2, Sch. para. 19(c)
F39S. 35(1A) inserted (3.4.2006) by 2002 c. 26, ss. 18(10), 87; S.R. 2006/124, art. 2 Sch. para. 6
F40Words in s. 35(1A)(b) substituted (1.10.2009) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 59, 148, Sch. 11 para. 6; S.I. 2009/1609, art. 2(d)
F41Words in s. 35(2) substituted (12.4.2010) by Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 (c. 26), s. 87(1), Sch. 7 para. 14(3); S.R. 2010/113, art. 2, Sch. para. 19(c)
F42S. 35(3) substituted (3.4.2006) by 2002 c. 26, ss. 20, 87; S.R. 2006/124, art. 2 Sch. para. 7
36 Provisions as to other Northern Ireland officers.U.K.
(1)Any appointment on or after the appointed day to the office of—
F43(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F43(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(c)Civil Service Commissioner for Northern Ireland;
F44(d). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
shall be made by Her Majesty.
F45(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F45(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F45(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(5)Her Majesty may by Order in Council make provision with respect to the appointment of lord-lieutenants, lieutenants and deputy lieutenants in Northern Ireland, for conferring on them functions which apart from the Order would be exercisable by lieutenants in Northern Ireland, for altering the designation of vice-lieutenants in Northern Ireland and for matters incidental to or consequential on any provision so made, including the amendment or repeal of any enactment passed before this Act.
(6)An Order in Council under subsection (5) above may be varied or revoked by a subsequent Order.
Textual Amendments
F43S. 36(1)(a)(b) repealed (N.I.) (1.4.2016) by Public Services Ombudsman Act (NorthernIreland) 2016 (c. 4), s. 64, Sch. 9
F44S. 36(1)(d) repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(1), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
F45S. 36(2)(3)(4) repealed (16.7.1996) by S.I. 1996/1298 (NI 8), art. 21(2), Sch. 6
37 Provisions as to Joint Exchequer Board and other financial matters.U.K.
F46(1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2)Any sums which, apart from this Act, would be payable into the Consolidated Fund of the United Kingdom by virtue of section 22(1) of the M2Government of Ireland Act 1920 (reserved taxes) shall continue to be so paid; and, subject to subsection (3) below, any sums which, apart from this Act, would be payable into the Consolidated Fund of Northern Ireland by virtue of section 21(1) of that Act (transferred taxes) shall continue to be so paid.
(3)There shall be paid into the Consolidated Fund of the United Kingdom, as from such date as the Treasury may by order direct, the proceeds of any tax specified in the order which would otherwise be paid into the Consolidated Fund of Northern Ireland.
(4)The power to make orders under subsection (3) above includes power to vary or revoke a previous order and shall be exercisable by statutory instrument.
Textual Amendments
F46S. 37(1) repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
Marginal Citations
F4738. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.
Textual Amendments
F47S. 38 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
F4839. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.
Textual Amendments
F48S. 39 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
F4940. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .U.K.
Textual Amendments
F49S. 40 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
41 Repeals.U.K.
(1)The enactments specified in Schedule 6 to this Act are hereby repealed to the extent specified in the third column of that Schedule—
(a)in the case of the enactments in Part I of that Schedule, as from the passing of this Act;
(b)in the case of those in Part II, as from the appointed day.
(2)Without prejudice to the generality of the powers conferred by section 39 above, an Order in Council under that section may repeal or revoke any existing statutory provision (as defined in section 40 above) which appears to Her Majesty to be unnecessary in consequence of, or inconsistent with, any provision of this Act.
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C10 The text of ss. 30(3), 41(1) and Sch. 6 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.
42 Saving for existing laws. U.K.
(1)Except so far as otherwise provided by or under this Act, nothing in this Act shall affect the continued operation in or in relation to Northern Ireland of any law in force at the passing of this Act or on the appointed day.
(2)Without prejudice to subsection (1) above, neither the abolition of the Parliament of Northern Ireland nor the repeal by this Act of any provision relating to that Parliament shall affect the validity or otherwise of any Act of that Parliament.
(3)Neither the abolition of the Parliament of Northern Ireland or of the office of Governor of Northern Ireland nor the repeal by this Act of any provision relating to that Parliament or office shall affect the operation of the M3Northern Ireland (Temporary Provisions) Act 1972 or the validity of any Order in Council made under section 1(3) of that Act; F50. . .
Textual Amendments
F50Words in s. 42(3) repealed (2.12.1999) by S.I. 1999/663, art. 2(2), Sch. 2
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C11S. 42 extended by S.I. 1986/1032 (N.I. 6), art. 2(4)
C12S. 42 amended by S.I. 1989/1339 (N.I. 11), art. 2(10)
C13S. 42 extended by S.I. 1990/594 (N.I. 6), Pt. I art. 2(11)
C14S. 42(2) extended by S.I. 1989/846 (N.I. 6), Pt. I art. 2(4)
C15S. 42(3) extended by S.I. 1986/594 (N.I. 3), art 2(3)
C16S. 42(3) extended (21.8.1991) by S.I. 1991/1220 (N.I. 11), arts. 1(2), 2(3).
Marginal Citations
43 Short title, interpretation and commencement.U.K.
(1)This Act may be cited as the Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973.
(2)In this Act—
“the appointed day” means the day appointed under section 2 above for the commencement of Part II of this Act;
F51. . .
F51. . .
“enactment” includes an enactment of the Parliament of Northern Ireland;
“functions” includes powers and duties;
F51. . .
“Northern Ireland” has the same meaning as for the purposes of the M4Government of Ireland Act 1920;
“Northern Ireland executive authorities” has the meaning given in section 7(6) above;
F51. . .
F51. . .
F52(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(4)Any reference in this Act to any enactment is a reference to that enactment as amended by, and includes a reference to that enactment as extended or applied by, any other enactment including this Act.
(5)Part I of this Act and, except where otherwise stated, Parts IV and V of this Act shall come into force at the passing of this Act.
(6)Part III of this Act shall come into force on a day specified in an order made by the Secretary of State by statutory instrument, and different days may be specified under this subsection for different provisions of Part III.
Textual Amendments
F51Definitions in s. 43(2) repealed (2.12.1999) by S.I. 1999/663, arts. 1(2), 2(2), Sch. 2
F52S. 43(3) repealed (2.12.1999) by S.I. 1999/663, arts. 1(2), 2(2), Sch. 2
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C171.9.1973 appointed under s. 43(6) by S.I. 1973/1418
Marginal Citations
SCHEDULES
Section 1.
F53SCHEDULE 1U.K. Polls for Purposes of Section 1
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F53Sch. 1 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
Section 2.
F54SCHEDULE 2U.K. Excepted Matters
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F54Sch. 2 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
Sections 2 and 3.
F58SCHEDULE 3U.K. Minimum Reserved Matters on Appointed Day
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F58Sch. 3 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
Section 8.
F64SCHEDULE 4U.K. Form of Oath or Affirmation under Section 8
Textual Amendments
F64Sch. 4 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
I swear by Almighty God [or affirm] that I will uphold the laws of Northern Ireland and conscientiously fulfil [as a member of the Northern Ireland Executive] my duties under the Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973 in the interests of Northern Ireland and its people.
Section 40.
F65SCHEDULE 5U.K.General Adaptation of References to Institutions and Offices Abolished by this Act
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F65Sch. 5 repealed (2.12.1999) by 1998 c. 47, s. 100(2), Sch. 15; S.I. 1999/3209, art. 2, Sch.
Section 41.
SCHEDULE 6U.K. Repeals
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C19 The text of ss. 30(3), 41(1) and Sch. 6 is in the form in which it was originally enacted: it was not reproduced in Statutes in Force and does not reflect any amendments or repeals which may have been made prior to 1.2.1991.
Sch. 6 Pt. I: saving in respect of orders made under 1920 c. 67, s. 69 repealed (31.7.1998) in so far as it relates to S.R. & O. 1922/80
