Trials on indictment without a jury
9Duration of non-jury trial provisions
1
Sections 1 to 8 (and Schedule 1) (“the non-jury trial provisions”) shall expire at the end of the period of two years beginning with the day on which section 1 comes into force (“the effective period”).
2
But the Secretary of State may by order extend, or (on one or more occasions) further extend, the effective period.
3
An order under subsection (2)—
a
must be made before the time when the effective period would end but for the making of the order, and
b
shall have the effect of extending, or further extending, that period for the period of two years beginning with that time.
4
The expiry of the non-jury trial provisions shall not affect their application to a trial on indictment in relation to which—
a
a certificate under section 1 has been issued, and
b
the indictment has been presented,
before their expiry.
5
The expiry of section 4 shall not affect the committal of a person for trial in accordance with subsection (3) of that section, or by virtue of subsection (4) or (6) of that section, to the Crown Court sitting in Belfast or elsewhere in a case where the indictment has not been presented before its expiry.
6
The Secretary of State may by order make any amendments of enactments (including provisions of Northern Ireland legislation) that appear to him to be necessary or expedient in consequence of the expiry of the non-jury trial provisions.
7
An order under this section—
a
shall be made by statutory instrument, and
b
may not be made unless a draft has been laid before and approved by resolution of each House of Parliament.