The Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act 2022 (Commencement) Regulations 2025
Source: legislation.gov.uk (2025-02-26)

These Regulations bring into force provisions of the Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act 2022 (c. 45) (“the 2022 Act”).

Statutory Instruments

2025 No. 214

NORTHERN IRELAND

The Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act 2022 (Commencement) Regulations 2025

Made

25th February 2025

The Secretary of State makes the following Regulations in exercise of the power conferred by section 10(2) of the Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act 2022(1 (\"#f00001\")).

Citation and extent

1.—(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act 2022 (Commencement) Regulations 2025.

(2) These Regulations extend to Northern Ireland.

Provisions coming into force on the day after the day these Regulations are made

2.—(1) The following provisions of the Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act 2022 come into force on the day after the day these Regulations are made—

(a)section 4 (use of languages other than English in proceedings); and

(b)section 5 (use of Ulster Scots in education).

Hilary Benn

Secretary of State

Northern Ireland Office

25th February 2025

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations bring into force provisions of the Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act 2022 (c. 45) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2022/45\") (“the 2022 Act”).

Regulation 2 commences section 4 of the 2022 Act, which repeals the Administration of Justice (Language) Act (Ireland) 1737 (c. 6) (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/1737/6\"). The Administration of Justice (Language) Act (Ireland) 1737 required Court proceedings to be in English. Regulation 2 also commences section 5 of the 2022 Act, which places a duty on the Northern Ireland Department of Education to encourage and facilitate the use and understanding of Ulster Scots in the education system.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sectors is foreseen.

NOTE AS TO EARLIER COMMENCEMENT Regulations

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

The following provisions of the Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act 2022 have been brought into force by commencement regulations made before the date of these Regulations.

ProvisionDate of CommencementS.I. No.Section 1 (partially)22nd May 20232023/566 (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2023/566\")Section 2 (partially)22nd May 20232023/566 (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2023/566\")Section 3 (partially)22nd May 20232023/566 (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2023/566\")Section 622nd May 20232023/566 (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2023/566\")Section 722nd May 20232023/566 (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2023/566\")Schedule 122nd May 20232023/566 (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2023/566\")Schedule 222nd May 20232023/566 (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2023/566\")Schedule 322nd May 20232023/566 (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/uksi/2023/566\")

(1)

2022 c. 45 (\"http://www.legislation.gov.uk/id/ukpga/2022/45\").