Northern Ireland Act 2009 facts for kids
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| Long title | An Act to make provision in relation to policing and justice in Northern Ireland; and to amend section 86 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. |
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| Citation | 2009 c 3 |
| Introduced by | Shaun Woodward |
| Territorial extent | United Kingdom |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 12 March 2009 |
| History of passage through Parliament | |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
| Revised text of statute as amended | |
The Northern Ireland Act 2009 is an Act (or law) made by the Parliament of the United Kingdom. This law was created to prepare for a big change in how Northern Ireland is governed.
Its main goal was to give more power over "policing and justice" to the Northern Ireland Assembly. This means local politicians in Northern Ireland would get to make decisions about their police force and court system. This process of giving more local control is called devolution.
Contents
What is the Northern Ireland Act 2009 About?
This Act is a very important law for Northern Ireland. It helps to transfer powers from the UK government in London to the local government in Northern Ireland.
Why was this Act needed?
Before this Act, many decisions about policing and justice in Northern Ireland were made by the UK government. The Act aimed to change this. It allowed the Northern Ireland Assembly to take on these responsibilities. This meant more local control over important areas like law enforcement and the courts.
What does "Policing and Justice" mean?
"Policing" refers to how the police force works to keep people safe and enforce laws. "Justice" refers to the court system, including judges, trials, and prisons. Giving these powers to the Northern Ireland Assembly was a big step. It meant that local elected officials would be in charge of these vital services.
When Did the Act Start?
Laws don't always start working the moment they are passed. They often have a "commencement" date. This means the date when different parts of the law officially begin.
The Northern Ireland Act 2009 came into force in stages. Some parts of the Act started on 12 March 2009, the day it became law. Other parts, especially those related to the main transfer of powers, came into effect later. Most of the important changes began on 12 April 2010. This allowed time for everything to be set up properly.
See also
- Northern Ireland Act
