SCHEDULES
SCHEDULE 1Further provisions about the referendum
23Restriction on challenge to referendum result
1
No court may entertain any proceedings for questioning the number of ballot papers counted or votes cast in the referendum as certified by the Chief Counting Officer or a Regional Counting Officer or counting officer unless—
a
the proceedings are brought by a claim for judicial review, and
b
the claim form is filed before the end of the permitted period.
2
In sub-paragraph (1) “the permitted period” means the period of 6 weeks beginning with—
a
the day on which the officer in question gives a certificate as to the number of ballot papers counted and votes cast in the referendum, or
b
if the officer gives more than one such certificate, the day on which the last is given.
3
In the application of this paragraph to Scotland, sub-paragraph (1) has effect—
a
with the substitution in paragraph (a) of “a petition” for “a claim”;
b
with the substitution in paragraph (b) of “the petition is lodged” for “the claim form is filed”.
4
In the application of this paragraph to Northern Ireland, sub-paragraph (1) has effect—
a
with the substitution in paragraph (a) of “an application” for “a claim”;
b
with the substitution in paragraph (b) of “the application for leave to apply for judicial review is lodged” for “the claim form is filed”.