(1)After the coming into force of section 22(1), the Attorney General for England and Wales shall, by virtue of that office, also be Advocate General for Northern Ireland.
(2)In section 2 of the Law Officers Act 1997 (c. 60) (exercise of functions of Attorney General for Northern Ireland by Solicitor General)—
(a)in subsection (1), for “Attorney General for Northern Ireland” substitute “Advocate General for Northern Ireland”,
(b)in subsections (2) to (5), for “Attorney General” (in each place) substitute “Advocate General”, and
(c)in subsection (6), for ““Attorney General” means the Attorney” substitute ““Advocate General” means the Advocate”.
(3)The Advocate General for Northern Ireland and the Solicitor General for England and Wales shall have in Northern Ireland the same rights of audience as members of the Bar of Northern Ireland.
(4)In Schedule 2 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998 (c. 47) (excepted matters), after paragraph 21 insert—
“21AThe office and functions of the Advocate General for Northern Ireland.”
(1)Schedule 7 makes provision about the functions of the Advocate General for Northern Ireland.
(2)The Secretary of State may by order make amendments in any enactment or instrument (whenever passed or made) for, or in connection with, the transfer to the Advocate General for Northern Ireland of a function of the Attorney General for Northern Ireland of giving consent to the institution or conduct of criminal proceedings (whether or not as an alternative to the consent of any other person).